Jim Inhofe#Aviation

James Mountain Inhofe was born in Des Moines, Iowa, on November 17, 1934, the son of Blanche (née Mountain) and Perry Dyson Inhofe.{{cite web|url=http://politicalgraveyard.com/geo/OK/presbyterian.html|title=The Political Graveyard: Presbyterian Politicians in Oklahoma|first=Lawrence|last=Kestenbaum|website=The Political Graveyard|access-date=September 26, 2020|archive-date=May 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526084546/http://politicalgraveyard.com/geo/OK/presbyterian.html|url-status=live}} He moved with his family to Tulsa, Oklahoma, after his father became president of the National Mutual Casualty company in August 1942.{{cite news |title=City Insurance Leader Retires |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-retires/145942810/ |access-date=February 25, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=August 28, 1942 |page=12 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424005004/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-retires/145942810/ |url-status=live }} His father, Perry Inhofe, was educated at Duke University and worked as a lawyer, president of multiple insurance companies, and banker.{{cite news |title=Inhofe Named To Bank Post |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-post/145942893/ |access-date=February 26, 2023 |page=31 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=November 24, 1953 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424005003/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-post/145942893/ |url-status=live }} In 1949, his company, Tri-State, was ordered by the National Labor Relations Board to cease discouraging union membership.{{cite news |title=Tulsa Firm Is Ordered To Halt Fight on Union |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-firm/145942954/ |access-date=February 26, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=February 24, 1949 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424004956/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-firm/145942954/ |url-status=live }} His father was also active in the Tulsa Chamber of Commerce and YMCA; and he was the official sponsor of Miss Tulsa and Miss Oklahoma winner Louise O'Brien in 1950.{{cite news |title=Miss Tulsa of 1950 To Be Crowned at Luncheon Tuesday |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-crowned/145943036/ |access-date=February 26, 2023 |page=21 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=July 6, 1950 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=July 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713094139/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-crowned/145943036/ |url-status=live }} His mother was a Tulsa socialite and hosted guests such as Johnston Murray.{{cite news |title=Nomads Plan Welcome for IPE Visitors |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-nomads/145943136/ |access-date=February 26, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=May 9, 1953 |page=28 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424005001/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-nomads/145943136/ |url-status=live }}

Inhofe's family had been involved in Oklahoma politics since the 1950s. His father, Perry Inhofe, had served on the executive committee for Democratic governor Raymond D. Gary's successful 1954 campaign.{{cite news |title=Gary Committee Members Named |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-gary/145943186/ |access-date=February 26, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=June 12, 1954 |page=7 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424005002/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-gary/145943186/ |url-status=live }} In 1958, his brother, Perry Jr., ran an unsuccessful campaign for the Oklahoma House of Representatives as a Democrat.{{cite news |title=48 Assured Posts in Legislature |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-assured/145943241/ |access-date=February 26, 2023 |page=13 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=May 3, 1958 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424004957/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-assured/145943241/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=How Tulsa County Voted |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-county/145943312/ |access-date=February 26, 2023 |page=11 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=July 3, 1958 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424004959/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-county/145943312/ |url-status=live }}

Inhofe started kindergarten in Des Moines, Iowa, but moved halfway through the year to Hazel Dell in Springfield, Illinois. He skipped first grade after the schoolhouse burned down and started second grade after his family moved to Tulsa at Barnard Elementary School. As a teenager, he would "hire Indians to pick wild blackberries" and then sell them in his neighborhood. He went on to attend Woodrow Wilson Junior High and Tulsa Central High School, where he was a member of his high school's track team.{{cite web |title=Jim Inhofe U.S. Senator |url=https://voicesofoklahoma.com/interviews/inhofe-jim/ |website=voicesofoklahoma.com |publisher=Oklahoma Historical Society |access-date=February 26, 2023 |archive-date=February 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226210440/https://voicesofoklahoma.com/interviews/inhofe-jim/ |url-status=live }} In 1952, his mile relay quartet team broke a school record with a 3:32.6 time.{{cite news |last=Lobaugh |first=Tom |title=9 Records Broken As Braves, Tigers Win Track Titles |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-broken/146006060/ |access-date=February 26, 2023 |page=81 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=April 27, 1952 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425001811/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-broken/146006060/ |url-status=live }} In January 1953, he was elected treasurer of the Brones social club;{{cite news |last=Groffman |first=Linda |title=Teen Tattlers |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-brones/146006179/ |access-date=February 26, 2023 |page=91 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=January 18, 1953 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425001809/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-brones/146006179/ |url-status=live }} he graduated from Central High School later that year.{{cite news |last1=Eger |first1=Andrea |title=Central grads to be honored |url=https://tulsaworld.com/archive/central-grads-to-be-honored/article_962952d2-0192-5567-9fc8-ee2f6418cab9.html |access-date=February 26, 2023 |work=Tulsa World |date=November 12, 2000 |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408051955/https://tulsaworld.com/archive/central-grads-to-be-honored/article_962952d2-0192-5567-9fc8-ee2f6418cab9.html |url-status=live }} He attended the University of Colorado for three months and worked as a bartender.

In 1956, he received a draft letter from the United States Army and he served from 1957 to 1958.{{cite web|url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=I000024|title=INHOFE, James Mountain – Biographical Information|website=bioguide.congress.gov|access-date=April 10, 2004|archive-date=December 5, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101205175126/http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=I000024|url-status=live}} He attained the rank of Specialist 4 and spent most of his service performing quartermaster duties at Fort Lee, Virginia. In 1961, his father formed a new life insurance company, Quaker Insurance, and Inhofe was appointed vice president.{{cite news |title=Quaker Life Receives OK |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-quaker/146006269/ |access-date=February 26, 2023 |page=6 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=March 21, 1961 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425001808/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-quaker/146006269/ |url-status=live }} On June 17, 1970, Perry Inhofe died of a heart attack;{{cite news |title=Tulsa Insurance Leader Perry D. Inhofe Sr. Dies |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-perry/146006337/ |access-date=March 3, 2023 |page=17 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=June 18, 1970 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425001807/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-perry/146006337/ |url-status=live }} Inhofe became president of Quaker Life Insurance and vice president of Mid-Continental Casualty Co. and Oklahoma Surety Co., while his brother Perry Jr. became president of Mid-Continental and Surety and vice president of Quaker Life.{{cite news |title=Inhofe Brothers Elected to Posts |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-brothers/146006393/ |access-date=March 3, 2023 |page=10 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=July 9, 1970 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425001810/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-brothers/146006393/ |url-status=live }} Inhofe and his brother eventually ended up in litigation over the companies that ended in 1990 with Perry paying $3 million to his brother.

Inhofe received a B.A. in economics from the University of Tulsa in 1973.{{cite news |last=Grenier |first=John |date=September 17, 1994 |title=Degree Disparity Surprises Inhofe |url=https://newsok.com/article/2477871/degree-disparity-surprises-inhofe |work=The Daily Oklahoman |location=Oklahoma City |access-date=May 19, 2018 |archive-date=September 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923120243/https://newsok.com/article/2477871/degree-disparity-surprises-inhofe |url-status=live }} Until his 1994 campaign for the U.S. Senate, his official biographies and news articles about him indicated that he had graduated in 1959. Inhofe initially denied the stories that uncovered the discrepancy, but later acknowledged them.{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |date=September 17, 1994 |title=Senate Candidate Got Degree in '73, not '59 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-degree/146006466/ |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |location=St. Louis, Missouri |via=Newspapers.com |page=6A |access-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425001810/https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-degree/146006466/ |url-status=live }} After admitting that the stories were true, Inhofe explained that he had been allowed to take part in graduation ceremonies in 1959 though he was a few credits short of completing his degree, and did not finish his coursework until 1973.

In February 1966, Inhofe launched his first campaign for office as a Republican; he ran for the Oklahoma House of Representatives's 71st district against incumbent representative Warren Green.{{cite news |title=J. M. Inhofe Seeks Post |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-seeks/146006560/ |access-date=February 26, 2023 |page=2 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=February 20, 1966 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425001808/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-seeks/146006560/ |url-status=live }} He lost the May primary election and then worked on J. Robert Wooten's 1966 lieutenant gubernatorial campaign as the Tulsa County campaign chair.{{cite news |last=Girdler |first=Allan |title=Final Vote Tally Holds No Surprises |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-tally/146066519/ |access-date=February 26, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=May 5, 1966 |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-county/146066572/ 4] |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=July 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713094139/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-tally/146066519/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Bellmon to Aid Fund Raising For Wooten |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-bellmon/146066642/ |access-date=February 26, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=August 17, 1966 |page=7 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=July 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240710052557/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-bellmon/146066642/ |url-status=live }} In November 1966, Joseph McGraw resigned from the Oklahoma House of Representatives 70th district to run for newly elected governor Dewey Bartlett's former state senate seat, triggering a special election. Inhofe was the first to announced his campaign for McGraw's former house seat.{{cite news |title=Filings End; Seven Enter Tulsa Races |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-filings/146066715/ |access-date=February 26, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=November 26, 1966 |page=17 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425234136/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-filings/146066715/ |url-status=live }} He won the Republican primary and the general election.{{cite news |title=M'Graw, Inhofe Win GOP Races |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-races/146066828/ |access-date=February 26, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=December 7, 1966 |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425234135/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-races/146066828/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=GOP Gets Two Seats In County |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-seats/146072884/ |access-date=February 26, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=December 21, 1966 |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426013336/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-seats/146072884/ |url-status=live }} He was sworn in December 29, 1966.{{cite news |title=Oath of Office Taken By Inhofe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-oath/146072967/ |access-date=February 26, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=December 30, 1966 |page=27 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426013335/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-oath/146072967/ |url-status=live }} During his time in the State House, Inhofe formed a close friendship with Democratic Representative David Boren.

In the Oklahoma House, Inhofe's first successful measure was a bill to allow for personalized license plates in Oklahoma that passed during his first legislative session.{{cite news |title=Personalized Auto Tag Bill Becomes Law |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-tag/146073041/ |access-date=February 26, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=May 3, 1967 |page=29 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426013339/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-tag/146073041/ |url-status=live }} During his first term, he spoke against federal regulation at the United States House Committee on Public Works Sub-committee on Roads and voted in favor of an abortion liberalization law.{{cite news |title=State Lawmakers Protest Growing Federal Regulation |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-oklahoman-protest/146073131/ |access-date=February 26, 2023 |work=The Daily Oklahoman |date=April 16, 1967 |page=27 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426013340/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-oklahoman-protest/146073131/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |title=Abortive Roll Call |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-roll/146073198/ |access-date=February 26, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=March 30, 1967 |page=4 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=July 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713094142/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-roll/146073198/ |url-status=live }} In 1968, he served as the vice-chair of the rules committee for the Oklahoma Republican Party state convention.{{cite news |title=GOP Poised for Parley |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-oklahoman-parley/146073272/ |access-date=February 26, 2023 |work=The Daily Oklahoman |date=February 17, 1968 |page=36 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426013337/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-oklahoman-parley/146073272/ |url-status=live }} That May, he announced he would not seek re-election to the Oklahoma House of Representatives and instead would challenge Democrat state senator Beauchamp Selman for his seat in the next election.{{cite news |title=Selman to Face Inhofe Challenge |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-challenge/146073343/ |access-date=February 26, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=May 5, 1968 |page=25 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=July 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713094140/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-challenge/146073343/ |url-status=live }}

{{see also|USS Batfish (SS-310)#Museum ship}}

File:USS BATFISH 2013.JPG museum ship in Muskogee, Oklahoma, in 2013]]

After Inhofe had already announced his campaign for the Oklahoma Senate, Beauchamp Selman announced he would not seek re-election, creating an open seat for the 1968 election.{{cite news |last1=Young |first1=Jim |title=GOP Is After 'Veto Insurance' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/658987257/?terms=%22Inhofe%22 |access-date=February 26, 2023 |work=The Oklahoma City Times |date=July 4, 1968 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226190924/https://www.newspapers.com/image/658987257/?terms=%22Inhofe%22 |url-status=live }} He faced Madison J. Bowers, who was endorsed by the Political Action Committee of Educators, in the Republican primary election.{{cite news |title=Teacher Group Backing Jarman Foe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/452156291/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=February 26, 2023 |work=The Daily Oklahoman |date=August 16, 1968 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226190918/https://www.newspapers.com/image/452156291/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }} He won the primary and faced Democratic nominee Jerry L. Goodman in the general election.{{cite news |last1=Leslie |first1=Frank |title=Incumbent Solons Take 3 Primaries |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/888765630/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=February 26, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=August 28, 1968 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226190920/https://www.newspapers.com/image/888765630/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }} Governor Dewey Bartlett knocked doors with Inhofe during his campaign and he later won the general election.{{cite news |last1=Flanagan |first1=Mike |title=Governor Ends Booster Jaunt |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/888736328/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=February 26, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=October 10, 1968 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226190925/https://www.newspapers.com/image/888736328/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Demos Gain Single Seat, Enough to Overturn Veto |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/888718324/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=February 26, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=November 7, 1968 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com] |archive-date=February 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226190920/https://www.newspapers.com/image/888718324/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }} After winning the special election, Republican party officials began considering Inhofe as a potential future U.S. Senate candidate.{{cite news |title=Political Rumblings Already Heard For 1970, '72 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/661906942/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=February 26, 2023 |work=Sapulpa Daily Herald |date=November 13, 1968 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226195906/https://www.newspapers.com/image/661906942/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}

In 1969, he was the chairman of the Tulsa County Republican Convention and he supported efforts to liberalize abortions laws in Oklahoma in the 32nd Oklahoma Legislature that passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives, but they failed in Senate committee.{{cite news |title=Inhofe Named To GOP Office |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/889103152/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |access-date=March 3, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=March 14, 1969 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=March 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303042833/https://www.newspapers.com/image/889103152/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Broadd |first1=Greg |title=Abortion Laws' End Favored |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/888708156/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |access-date=March 3, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=November 16, 1969 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=March 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303042826/https://www.newspapers.com/image/888708156/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |url-status=live }} Republican party officials tried to recruit Inhofe to run for Treasurer of Oklahoma in 1970, but he declined to run.{{cite news |title=State GOP Seeks Treasurer Candidate |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/897344789/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |access-date=March 3, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=December 23, 1969 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=March 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303042833/https://www.newspapers.com/image/897344789/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |url-status=live }} In 1970, Governor Dewey Bartlett created the Oklahoma Narcotics and Drug Abuse Council and appointed Inhofe as an inaugural member.{{cite news |title=Drug Abuse Council Set |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/897344789/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |access-date=March 3, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=March 20, 1970 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=July 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240710051314/https://www.newspapers.com/image/897344789/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |url-status=live }} That November, he was elected minority caucus chair of the Oklahoma Senate for the 33rd Oklahoma Legislature.{{cite news |title=GOP Legislators Pick Leaders |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/452074862/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |access-date=March 3, 2023 |work=The Daily Oklahoman |date=November 14, 1970 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=March 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303042825/https://www.newspapers.com/image/452074862/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |url-status=live }} In 1971, Inhofe served as the chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party's State Convention.{{cite news |title=Inhofe, Ford Given Key Roles in GOP Meeting |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/888664170/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |access-date=March 3, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=February 11, 1971 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408052008/https://www.newspapers.com/image/888664170/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |url-status=live }} While Inhofe had initially filed a resolution for Oklahoma to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment in 1972, he retracted his support later that year.{{cite news |title=Inhofe Cools To Equal Bid For Women |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/888728614/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |access-date=March 3, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=June 8, 1972 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=March 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303193821/https://www.newspapers.com/image/888728614/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=A Change Of Mind |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/888735925/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |access-date=March 3, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=June 9, 1972 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=March 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303193822/https://www.newspapers.com/image/888735925/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |url-status=live }}

In 1969, Inhofe sponsored a successful bill to bring a retired U.S. Navy submarine to Oklahoma. Inhofe initially wanted the USS Piranha for Tulsa, but it was determined that the Arkansas River was too shallow for the ship to travel that far upriver. The Muskogee City-County Trust Port Authority donated five acres of waterfront property to locate the ship in Muskogee. In September 1970, the USS Batfish was considered as an alternative and on December 9, 1971, the Batfish was given to the State of Oklahoma. The ship was unofficially opened to the public July 4, 1972, with its official opening on Memorial Day 1973.{{cite web |title=Post-War History |url=http://www.ussbatfish.com/batfish-stats3.html |website=ussbatfish.com |access-date=March 3, 2023 |archive-date=March 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230310221138/http://ussbatfish.com/batfish-stats3.html |url-status=live }}

In 1972, Inhofe was appointed to serve as co-chair for Richard Nixon's 1972 presidential campaign in Oklahoma with Ralph Gordon Thompson.{{cite news |title=2 Sooners Named to Nixon Group |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/454108569/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |access-date=March 3, 2023 |work=The Daily Oklahoman |date=December 10, 1971 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408052009/https://www.newspapers.com/image/454108569/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |url-status=live }} During the campaign, Inhofe solicited Barry Goldwater to write a letter of endorsement for Nixon's campaign in Oklahoma to win over conservative Republicans and he represented Oklahoma at the 1972 Republican National Convention.{{cite news |title=Nixon not either a liberal-Goldwater |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/864721886/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |access-date=March 3, 2023 |work=Henryetta Daily Free-Lance |date=April 30, 1972 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=March 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303201954/https://www.newspapers.com/image/864721886/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Cartledge |first1=Paul |title=Bellmon Sees Landslide Vote for Nixon in Fall |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/888720442/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |access-date=March 3, 2023 |work=Tulsa World |date=May 7, 1972 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=March 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303201952/https://www.newspapers.com/image/888720442/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |url-status=live }} He also worked on U.S. senator Dewey Bartlett's campaign as the co-chair for Oklahoma's 1st congressional district.{{cite news |title=McGovern Ideas on Defense Hit |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/888746012/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |access-date=March 3, 2023 |work=Tulsa World |date=September 27, 1972 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=March 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303201951/https://www.newspapers.com/image/888746012/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |url-status=live }} In his own district, Inhofe faced no Republican primary challenge and faced Democratic nominee Happy Miles in the general election.{{cite news |title=56 File for Tulsa Legislative Posts |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/888693083/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |access-date=March 3, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=July 13, 1972 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=March 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303201952/https://www.newspapers.com/image/888693083/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |url-status=live }} He won the general election by over 7,000 votes;{{cite news |title=Complete Returns For Tulsa Listed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/888800365/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |access-date=March 3, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=November 9, 1972 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=March 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303201952/https://www.newspapers.com/image/888800365/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |url-status=live }} afterward, he was elected by fellow Republican state senators to serve as the assistant floor leader in the 34th Oklahoma Legislature.{{cite news |title=Newspaperman Picked As GOP House Leader |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/21646951/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |access-date=March 3, 2023 |work=The Ada Weekly News |date=November 9, 1972 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=March 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303201953/https://www.newspapers.com/image/21646951/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |url-status=live }} He was elected minority leader of the Oklahoma Senate for the 35th Oklahoma Legislature to succeed Donald Ferrell who had lost re-election.{{cite news |last1=Montgomery |first1=Ed |title=Old, New Mix in Senate: First Woman in 45 Years Added |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/452100310/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=2 |access-date=May 1, 2023 |work=The Daily Oklahoman |date=January 5, 1975 |page=25 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=May 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501021213/https://www.newspapers.com/image/452100310/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=2 |url-status=live }} In April 1975, he appointed the first blind page in Oklahoma history: 15 year-old Angela Keele.{{cite news |last1=Montgomery |first1=Ed |title=Blind Page Praised Highly |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/452306556/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=May 1, 2023 |work=The Daily Oklahoman |date=April 24, 1975 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=July 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713094140/https://www.newspapers.com/image/452306556/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }} Later that year, Inhofe and Charles Ford wrote an article criticizing David Boren and spending by the Democratic Party in a party newspaper. Newspapers in the state responded by pointing out Inhofe had supported just as much spending;{{cite news |title=GOP Solon Defends Voting on Spend Bills |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/889177759/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=May 1, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=July 17, 1975 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=May 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501015918/https://www.newspapers.com/image/889177759/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }} the article was syndicated by the Associated Press and Inhofe responded by publishing a Tulsa World op-ed arguing he had tried to amend bills to remove wasteful spending and was consistently critical of spending.{{cite news |last1=Inhofe |first1=James |title=Inhofe's Reply |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/889185438/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=May 1, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=July 23, 1975 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=May 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501015918/https://www.newspapers.com/image/889185438/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Peter |first1=Ray |title=Inhofe Defends Record of Economy, Criticizes Wire Service Story |work=The Daily Oklahoman |date=July 23, 1975 |via=Newspapers.com }} He did not seek a third term to the Oklahoma Legislature and was succeeded as minority leader by Senator Stephen Wolfe.{{cite news |title=Four to Quit Senate |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/889187791/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=May 1, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=February 11, 1976 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=May 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501043520/https://www.newspapers.com/image/889187791/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Wolfe Elected to Senate Post |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/889170824/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=May 1, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=March 9, 1976 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=May 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501042019/https://www.newspapers.com/image/889170824/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}

{{main|1974 Oklahoma gubernatorial election}}

File:Inhofe Button.jpg]]

Inhofe had been floated as a potential gubernatorial candidate since 1972.{{cite news |last1=Cartledge |first1=Paul |title=One-Term Governor? Hall's Foes Drooling |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/888710403/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |access-date=March 3, 2023 |work=Tulsa World |date=March 19, 1972 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=March 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303214025/https://www.newspapers.com/image/888710403/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Ervin |first1=Chuck |title=Garrison, Inhofe Eye '74 Governor's Race |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/888685152/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |access-date=March 3, 2023 |work=Tulsa World |date=April 2, 1972 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=March 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303213945/https://www.newspapers.com/image/888685152/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |url-status=live }} Inhofe was considered a strong Republican candidate with his only weaknesses being his feuding with Leo Winters and the backlash to the USS Batfish project.{{cite news |last1=Blackstock |first1=Ben |title=Capitol plan is shot down |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/743957763/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |access-date=March 3, 2023 |work=The Weatherford News |date=March 29, 1973 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=July 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240710052604/https://www.newspapers.com/image/743957763/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |url-status=live }} By May 1973, he was openly campaigning, but had yet to officially announce his campaign.{{cite news |title=Sen. Inhofe May Seek Hall Chair |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/750408200/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |access-date=March 3, 2023 |work=Okmulgee Daily Times |date=May 10, 1973 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=March 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303213942/https://www.newspapers.com/image/750408200/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |url-status=live }} In October of that year, he was polling behind Denzil Garrison in the Republican primary 35% to 65%.{{cite news |title='Unannouncement' Pleases Garrison |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/889185587/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |access-date=March 3, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=October 3, 1973 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=March 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303214024/https://www.newspapers.com/image/889185587/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |url-status=live }} Inhofe officially launched his campaign in May 1974.{{cite news |last1=Neal |first1=Ken |title=300 Help Inhofe Open Drive Here |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/889230280/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |access-date=March 4, 2023 |work=Tulsa World |date=May 26, 1974 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=March 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304022026/https://www.newspapers.com/image/889230280/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |url-status=live }} The main issue in both the Republican and Democratic primary campaigns was corruption during the term of incumbent Democratic governor David Hall.{{cite news |title='Corruption' Seen as Top State Issue |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/889225874/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |access-date=March 4, 2023 |work=Tulsa World |date=June 16, 1974 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=March 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304022023/https://www.newspapers.com/image/889225874/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |url-status=live }} Inhofe defeated Garrison in the August primary.{{cite news |last1=Neal |first1=Ken |title=Tulsa Lauds Organization For GOP Win |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/889215975/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |access-date=March 4, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=August 28, 1974 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=March 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304022026/https://www.newspapers.com/image/889215975/?terms=Inhofe&match=1 |url-status=live }} During the campaign, he lost 57 pounds and was down to 148 pounds.{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lqNHAAAAIBAJ&pg=3363,3786080&dq=jim+inhofe&hl=en|title=Campaigning is slimming|date=April 30, 1974|access-date=September 26, 2020|work=The Morning Record|via=Google News Archive Search|archive-date=February 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206194311/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lqNHAAAAIBAJ&pg=3363%2C3786080&dq=jim%20inhofe&hl=en|url-status=live}}

In a 2011 interview, Inhofe claimed that he and David Boren were both upset with Hall, so the pair decided to both campaign against him; Boren would primary him as a Democrat to weaken his campaign and Inhofe would run as the Republican challenger and defeat him. However, the plan was thrown off when Boren won the Democratic nomination. In October, then-President Gerald Ford visited Oklahoma to campaign for Inhofe.{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kPJGAAAAIBAJ&pg=1150,3320540&dq=jim+inhofe&hl=en|work=Lewiston Evening Journal|title=People in the News|date=September 25, 1974|access-date=September 26, 2020|via=Google News Archive Search|archive-date=February 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206194250/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kPJGAAAAIBAJ&pg=1150%2C3320540&dq=jim+inhofe&hl=en|url-status=live}}{{cite news |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/644857232.html?dids=644857232:644857232&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Oct+23%2C+1974&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Democratic+Election+Gains+Could+Jeopardize+Peace%2C+Ford+Asserts&pqatl=google |first=Rudy |last=Abramson |title=Democratic Election Gains Could Jeopardize Peace, Ford Asserts |date=October 23, 1974 |access-date=July 6, 2017 |archive-date=July 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725034239/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/644857232.html?dids=644857232:644857232&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Oct+23%2C+1974&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Democratic+Election+Gains+Could+Jeopardize+Peace%2C+Ford+Asserts&pqatl=google |url-status=dead }} A poll later that month by The Daily Oklahoman showed Boren leading Inhofe 74%–25%.{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bvhDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5894,1464552&dq=jim+inhofe&hl=en|title=Extremism dangerous says Ford|date=September 25, 1974|access-date=September 26, 2020|work=The Daily Sentinel|via=Google News Archive Search|archive-date=February 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206194254/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bvhDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5894%2C1464552&dq=jim+inhofe&hl=en|url-status=live}} Inhofe ended up losing to Boren by 64%–36%.

{{See also|1976 United States House of Representatives elections#Oklahoma}}

In 1976, State Senator Frank Keating announced his campaign for Oklahoma's 1st congressional district and announced that Inhofe would be the master of ceremonies at his campaign launch announcement;{{cite news |last1=Hammer |first1=Mike |title=Jones' Plea Clouds Race |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/451597180/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=May 1, 2023 |work=The Daily Oklahoman |date=January 30, 1976 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=May 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501041037/https://www.newspapers.com/image/451597180/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }} however, Inhofe did not appear at Keating's announcement and instead announced he was considering his own campaign.{{cite news |title=Inhofe Confirms Report He May Tackle Jim Jones |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/889183008/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=May 1, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=February 4, 1976 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=May 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501041039/https://www.newspapers.com/image/889183008/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }} Inhofe officially announced his candidacy on February 19, 1976.{{cite news |title=Inhofe Hat In Ring |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/661918549/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=May 1, 2023 |work=Sapulpa Daily Herald |date=February 19, 1976 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=May 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501041040/https://www.newspapers.com/image/661918549/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }} In the Republican primary, he defeated Keating and Tulsa Public Schools board member Mary Warner, 67%–25%–8%.{{cite news |last1=Montgomery |first1=Ed |title=Bartlett Sees GOP State Coups |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/451658541/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=May 1, 2023 |work=The Daily Oklahoman |date=August 18, 1976 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=May 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501041038/https://www.newspapers.com/image/451658541/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }} In a 2011 interview, he credited his primary win to the use of the "Kasten Plan", a system of precinct organization. He also criticized Democratic presidential candidate, and U.S. senator from Oklahoma, Fred Harris during his presidential primary campaign.{{cite news |title=Harris Blasted by Inhofe For Remarks to Legislature |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/889184290/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=May 1, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=February 6, 1976 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=May 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501041038/https://www.newspapers.com/image/889184290/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}

During the primary, Inhofe had called for Democratic incumbent James R. Jones to be expelled from Congress for his conviction while in office for failing to report campaign contributions.{{cite news |last1=Hobbs |first1=Coy |title=Jones Fights 1 Democrat, 3 in GOP to Keep Seat |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/889169690/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=May 1, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=August 22, 1976 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=May 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501041037/https://www.newspapers.com/image/889169690/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Voters Appear To Be Ignoring Corruption Charges |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/659042666/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=May 1, 2023 |work=The Times Argus |date=October 28, 1976 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=May 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501041040/https://www.newspapers.com/image/659042666/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}

Inhofe also criticized a donation Jones had received from Ross Perot, but he retracted his accusation that the donation affected Jones's voting record after threats from Perot and his lawyers.{{cite news |title=Charges Retracted By Inhofe, Keating |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/889175082/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=May 1, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=August 31, 1976 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=May 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501041041/https://www.newspapers.com/image/889175082/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }} Inhofe was endorsed by the American Conservative Union and National Conservative Political Action Committee during the general election.{{cite news |title=Inhofe wins ACU support |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/864233515/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=May 1, 2023 |work=Henryetta Daily Free-Lance |date=September 15, 1976 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=May 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501041042/https://www.newspapers.com/image/864233515/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Action Group Lauds Inhofe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/889244545/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=May 1, 2023 |work=Tulsa World |date=September 19, 1976 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=May 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501041039/https://www.newspapers.com/image/889244545/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }} Former California governor, and future president, Ronald Reagan endorsed and campaigned with Inhofe.{{cite news |title=Reagan Sets Tulsa Speech For Inhofe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/889246345/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=May 1, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=September 20, 1976 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=May 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501041041/https://www.newspapers.com/image/889246345/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }} He was also endorsed by President Gerald Ford, U.S. representative John Rousselot of California, and the Tulsa Tribune.{{cite news |title=Ford Endorses Inhofe with Letter |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/889251238/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=May 1, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=October 20, 1976 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=May 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501041038/https://www.newspapers.com/image/889251238/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Inhofe Gets Endorsement |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/889254962/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=May 1, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=October 25, 1976 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=May 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501041036/https://www.newspapers.com/image/889254962/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Trib Endorses Inhofe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/864233850/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=May 1, 2023 |work=Henryetta Daily Free-Lance |date=October 29, 1976 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=May 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501041044/https://www.newspapers.com/image/864233850/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }} Polling before the election showed Jones leading Inhofe, 44% to 36%.{{cite news |title=First District Poll Shows Jones Has Edge |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/889248576/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=May 1, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=October 17, 1976 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=May 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501041039/https://www.newspapers.com/image/889248576/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }} In the general election, Jones won by 54%–45%.{{cite web |title=1976-1978 Results |url=https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/elections/election-results/results-prior-to-1980/1976-1978-results.pdf |website=oklahoma.gov |publisher=State of Oklahoma |access-date=February 26, 2023 |archive-date=March 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331140937/https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/elections/election-results/results-prior-to-1980/1976-1978-results.pdf |url-status=live }}

{{Expand section|date=February 2023}}

File:Reagan Contact Sheet BW 6088 (cropped).jpg in 1982]]

In January 1978, the Tulsa Daily World reported Republican party officials were courting Inhofe to run for Mayor of Tulsa.{{cite news |last1=Mackenzie |first1=David |title=Inhofe Reportedly Sought for Race |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/890207972/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=February 26, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=January 16, 1978 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227005743/https://www.newspapers.com/image/890207972/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }} He initially denied he would run for any city office and instead insisted he was considering a rematch against Congressman Jones;{{cite news |title=Inhofe Won't Seek Tulsa Mayor Post |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/890208899/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=February 26, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=January 18, 1978 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227005742/https://www.newspapers.com/image/890208899/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }} but, Inhofe announced his mayoral campaign in February.{{cite news |last1=Marler |first1=Ralph |title=Inhofe Steps Into Mayor's Race |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/897325490/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=February 26, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=February 8, 1978 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227005741/https://www.newspapers.com/image/897325490/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }} He won the Republican primary with over 92% of the vote, defeating Keith Robinson and Paul Cull.{{cite news |title=Randle Demo Nominee For Tulsa Mayor Post |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/662250339/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=February 26, 2023 |work=Sapulpa Daily Herald |date=March 22, 1978 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227005745/https://www.newspapers.com/image/662250339/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }} During the first three weeks of the primary, he was injured with a broken leg from a tennis injury and could not campaign.{{cite news |title=Inhofe Appearance Is 1st Since Broken Leg |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/890279328/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=February 26, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=March 18, 1978 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227005742/https://www.newspapers.com/image/890279328/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }} In the general election against Rodger Randle, he was endorsed by then-Mayor Robert LaFortune and U.S. senator Dewey Bartlett.{{cite news |title=Inhofe LaFortune's Man In Tulsa's Mayoral Race |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/890286192/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=February 26, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=March 23, 1978 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227005739/https://www.newspapers.com/image/890286192/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Jim Inhofe for Mayor |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/890291272/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=2 |access-date=February 26, 2023 |publisher=Tulsa Daily World |date=March 29, 1978 |format=Advertisement |quote=Please join me on April 4th and vote for Jim Inhofe. Thank you, Dewey Bartlett |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227005744/https://www.newspapers.com/image/890291272/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=2 |url-status=live }} Randle had won the Democratic primary with a coalition of labor union and black voters, and Inhofe was supported in the general election by his Republican base, anti-union and anti-black Democrats, and 22% of black voters.{{cite news |last1=Johnston |first1=Kelly |title=Point Blank |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/864235358/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=February 26, 2023 |work=Henryetta Daily Free-Lance |date=March 24, 1978 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227005738/https://www.newspapers.com/image/864235358/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Ervin |first1=Chuck |title=State GOP Leader Unafraid of Fight |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/890272877/?terms=%22Inhofe%22 |access-date=February 27, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=May 14, 1978 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227005737/https://www.newspapers.com/image/890272877/?terms=%22Inhofe%22 |url-status=live }} In April, he was elected mayor of Tulsa, defeating Democrat Rodger Randle, 51%–46%.{{cite news |last1=Kelley |first1=Mike |title=Optimistic Randle Makes First Concession Speech |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/890265675/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=February 27, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=April 5, 1978 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227005744/https://www.newspapers.com/image/890265675/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }} The Tulsa Daily World heralded the race as Inhofe's "first general election victory in six years, and Randle's first election loss since he entered politics in 1970."{{cite news |last1=Marler |first1=Ralph |title=Jim Inhofe Elected New Mayor; Jack Purdie Wins in Squeaker |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/890265436/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=February 27, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=April 5, 1978 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227005744/https://www.newspapers.com/image/890265436/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }} The race broke then-fundraising records for a Tulsa mayoral election with Randle raising $78,062 and Inhofe raising $48,987. Inhofe's biggest donors were the Metropolitan Builder's Association, oilman Robert L. Parker, and Paul D. Hinch.{{cite news |title=Tally Shows City Campaign Spending Topped $300,000 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/890278071/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=February 27, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=May 16, 1978 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227005739/https://www.newspapers.com/image/890278071/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}

On May 2, he was sworn in as Mayor of Tulsa.{{cite news |last1=Marler |first1=Ralph |title=Swearing In Ceremonies Today for City Officials |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/890262246/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=February 27, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=May 2, 1978 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227005744/https://www.newspapers.com/image/890262246/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }} Inhofe's first proclamation as mayor was to celebrate Sun Day and support alternative energy; in the proclamation he said, "I think we're all interested in looking for alternative sources of energy. And of course, we want clean sources."{{cite news |title=Sun Provides Rays of Hope In Energy Crisis, Says Inhofe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/890263860/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=February 27, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=May 4, 1978 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227010615/https://www.newspapers.com/image/890263860/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }} In his first month in office, he decried the city's reliance on federal funding,{{cite news |last1=Marler |first1=Ralph |title=Tulsa Dependence on U.S. Concerns Inhofe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/890262821/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=February 27, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=May 3, 1978 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227005744/https://www.newspapers.com/image/890262821/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }} promised to "seek minorities to fill positions in city government,{{cite news |title=Equal Employment Opportunities Cited by Mayor |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/890289097/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=February 27, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=May 25, 1978 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227005741/https://www.newspapers.com/image/890289097/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }} and nominated Jewish, senior citizen, anti-abortion, and Christian fundamentalist members to the Tulsa Human Rights Commission.{{cite news |title=Inhofe 'Broadens' Human Rights Efforts; 7 Nominated |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/890268693/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=February 27, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=June 1, 1978 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227005736/https://www.newspapers.com/image/890268693/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }} In January 1979, Inhofe attended the first swearing in of a governor of Oklahoma to occur in Tulsa when George Nigh was sworn in to serve the last five days of David Boren's term after Boren was elected to the U.S. Senate.{{cite news |title=Nigh to Be 1st Governor Sworn in Here |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/890230731/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Mountain%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=July 18, 2023 |work=Tulsa World |date=January 3, 1979 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=July 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718204824/https://www.newspapers.com/image/890230731/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Mountain%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }} In February, he appointed Ronald L. Young, the first African-American to ever serve on the City Commission.{{cite news |last1=Marler |first1=Ralph |title=Young Sworn in as Commissioner |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/890273286/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Mountain%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=July 18, 2023 |work=Tulsa World |date=February 7, 1979 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=July 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718204825/https://www.newspapers.com/image/890273286/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Mountain%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }} In December 1979, Inhofe officially announced his re-election campaign for a second term as mayor.{{cite news |last1=Byers |first1=Ward |title=Inhofe Says He Will Run on His Record |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/890361975/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Mountain%20Inhofe%22&match=2 |access-date=July 18, 2023 |work=Tulsa World |date=December 13, 1979 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=July 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718204823/https://www.newspapers.com/image/890361975/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Mountain%20Inhofe%22&match=2 |url-status=live }} He ran unopposed in the Republican primary and later won the general election, fending off Democratic nominee Richard Johnson and Independent candidate Robert Murphy.{{cite news |title=Tulsa Voters Re-Elect Inhofe, Commissioners |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/662244398/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=February 27, 2023 |work=Sapulpa Daily Herald |date=April 2, 1980 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=July 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240710052609/https://www.newspapers.com/image/662244398/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Voters to Trim Field Today in City Races |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/890335395/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Mountain%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=July 18, 2023 |work=Tulsa World |date=March 18, 1980 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=July 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718204824/https://www.newspapers.com/image/890335395/?terms=%22Jim%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Inhofe%22%20or%20%22James%20Mountain%20Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }} He broke Rodger Randle's record fundraising for a Tulsa mayoral race set in the last election by raising $87,667.{{cite news |title=Inhofe Sets Spending Record|work=Tulsa World |date=May 12, 1980 |via=Newspapers.com}}

In 1982, he was reelected with 59% of the vote. He lost his 1984 re-election campaign to Terry Young.

{{Expand section|date=February 2023}}

File:Jim Inhofe, official 100th Congress photo.png photo taken in 1987 after his first election to the United States House of Representatives]]

In 1986, when Representative James R. Jones decided to retire to run for the U.S. Senate, Inhofe ran for the 1st District and won the Republican primary with 54% of the vote.{{cite news |title=Election '86: Election At a Glance |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/451716362/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=February 27, 2023 |work=The Daily Oklahoman |date=August 28, 1986 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227045506/https://www.newspapers.com/image/451716362/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }} In the general election, he defeated Democrat Gary Allison 55%–43%. In 1988, he won reelection against Democrat Kurt Glassco 53%–47%. In 1990, he defeated Glassco again, 56%–44%. After redistricting, the 1st District contained only two counties, all of Tulsa and some parts of Wagoner.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} In 1992, Inhofe was reelected with 53% of the vote.

In 1987, Inhofe voted against President Ronald Reagan's budget, which included tax increases and no increase in defense spending.{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=YUBDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2822,26744&dq=james+inhofe&hl=en|title=Oklahoma delegation splits over trillion-dollar budget|work=Daily Leader|date=July 1, 1987|access-date=September 26, 2020|via=Google News Archive Search|archive-date=February 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206194310/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=YUBDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2822%2C26744&dq=james+inhofe&hl=en|url-status=live}}

He first came to national attention in 1993, when he led the effort to reform the House's discharge petition rule, which the House leadership had long used to bottle up bills in committee.

{{Update|section|date=February 2023}}

File:Neil_Gorsuch_and_Jim_Inhofe.jpg in March 2017]]

Inhofe was the longest-serving U.S. senator from Oklahoma, having served between 1994 and 2023.{{cite news |last1=Casteel |first1=Chris |title='It took a lot of work.' Jim Inhofe ends long career with votes reflecting his priorities |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/politics/state/2023/01/01/oklahoman-jim-inhofe-to-retire-from-political-career-stretching-back-to-1960s/69744282007/ |access-date=January 3, 2023 |work=The Oklahoman |date=January 1, 2023 |archive-date=July 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240710052606/https://subscribe.oklahoman.com/restricted?return=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.oklahoman.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2Fstate%2F2023%2F01%2F01%2Foklahoman-jim-inhofe-to-retire-from-political-career-stretching-back-to-1960s%2F69744282007%2F&gps-source=CPROADBLOCKDH&gca-cat=p&gnt-eid=control |url-status=live }}

In 1994, incumbent senator David Boren, who had been serving in the Senate since 1979, agreed to become president of the University of Oklahoma and announced he would resign as soon as a successor was elected.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/13/opinion/why-i-am-leaving-the-senate.html?pagewanted=print |title=Why I Am Leaving the Senate |last=Boren |first=David |work=The New York Times |date=May 13, 1994 |access-date=February 25, 2023 |archive-date=February 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230225165123/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/13/opinion/why-i-am-leaving-the-senate.html?pagewanted=print |url-status=live }} A special election was scheduled, in which Inhofe defeated Congressman Dave McCurdy in the general election. 1994 also saw the Republican Party take both houses of the U.S. Congress and the Oklahoma governorship.

Inhofe took office on November 17, giving him more seniority than the incoming class of senators. After serving the last two years of Boren's term, he won his first full term in 1996. He was reelected in 2002, 2008, 2014, and 2020.

In the 2008 election cycle, Inhofe's largest campaign donors represented the oil and gas ($446,900 in donations), leadership PACs ($316,720), and electric utilities ($221,654) industries/categories.{{cite web|url=http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/industries.php?cycle=2008&cid=N00005582&type=I|title=Top Industries Senator James M Inhofe 2003-2008|website=opensecrets.org|publisher=OpenSecrets|access-date=April 21, 2010|archive-date=June 8, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608021450/http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/industries.php?cycle=2008&cid=N00005582&type=I|url-status=live}} In 2010, his largest donors represented the oil and gas ($429,950) and electric ($206,654) utilities.{{cite web|url=http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/industries.php?cycle=Career&cid=N00005582&type=I|title=Top Industries Senator James M Inhofe|website=opensecrets.org|publisher=OpenSecrets|access-date=April 21, 2010|archive-date=June 4, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100604191051/http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/industries.php?cycle=Career&cid=N00005582&type=I|url-status=live}}

File:President Joe Biden meets with a bipartisan group of Senators.jpg and Vice President Kamala Harris, February 11, 2021]]

The primary PACs donating to his campaigns were Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association ($55,869), United Parcel Service ($51,850), National Association of Realtors ($51,700), NRA Political Victory Fund ($51,050), and American Medical Association ($51,000). Additionally, if company-sponsored PACs were combined with employee contributions, Koch Industries would be Inhofe's largest contributor, with $90,950 according to OpenSecrets.{{cite news|title=Stances mark differences in Senate race: Energy, national defense, the economy – the contrasts are stark in this race for the U.S. Senate|first=Randy |last=Krehbiel|work=McClatchy – Tribune Business News|location=Washington|date=October 26, 2008}}{{cite web|url=http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/contrib.php?cycle=Career&cid=N00005582&type=I|title=Top Contributors Senator James M Inhofe|website=opensecrets.org|publisher=OpenSecrets|access-date=April 21, 2010|archive-date=January 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107050152/http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/contrib.php?cycle=Career&cid=N00005582&type=I|url-status=live}}{{Undue weight inline|reason=All these numbers are out of the $16+ million for total federally reportable contributions since 1989. Even the $90,950 claimed for Koch Industries is less than 0.6%. (resolved if my edit holds, but there are still other "undue" problems)|date=August 2011}}

File:Inhofe Gilday handshake (48423570207).jpg, director of the Joint Staff, before his confirmation hearing for the position of Chief of Naval Operations at the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C., July 31, 2019.]]

As a member of the Armed Services Committee, Inhofe was among the panelists questioning witnesses about the 2004 Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse, saying he was "outraged by the outrage" over the revelations of abuse.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gop-sen-outraged-at-outrage/ |title=GOP Sen.: 'Outraged' At Outrage |publisher=CBS News |date=May 11, 2004 |access-date=September 26, 2020 |archive-date=June 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609182812/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gop-sen-outraged-at-outrage/ |url-status=live }} Although he believed that the individuals responsible for mistreating prisoners should be punished, he said that the prisoners "are not there for traffic violations ... they're murderers, they're terrorists, they're insurgents".{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/05/11/inhofe.abuse/index.html |title=GOP senator labels abused prisoners 'terrorists' |publisher=CNN |date=May 12, 2004 |access-date=May 6, 2010 |archive-date=June 11, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611224414/http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/05/11/inhofe.abuse/index.html |url-status=live }} In 2006, Inhofe was one of only nine senators to vote against the Detainee Treatment Act of 2005, which prohibits "cruel, inhuman or degrading" treatment of individuals in U.S. Government custody.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/05/AR2005100502062.html|newspaper=The Washington Post|title=Senate Supports Interrogation Limits|first1=Charles|last1=Babington|first2=Shailagh|last2=Murray|date=October 6, 2005|access-date=May 6, 2010|archive-date=September 30, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090930230018/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/05/AR2005100502062.html|url-status=live}}{{better source needed|date=March 2023|reason=Neither source names Inhofe}}

When chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee John McCain was absent seeking medical treatment for brain cancer, Inhofe became acting chairman of the committee. During this time, Inhofe helped secure the passage of the record $716 billion National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019.{{cite news |last1=Demirjian |first1=Karoun |title=John McCain's death marks a new era for congressional checks on Trump |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/mccains-death-marks-a-new-era-for-congressional-checks-on-trump/2018/08/25/c754a2a8-a4a5-11e8-8fac-12e98c13528d_story.html |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |access-date=August 28, 2018 |archive-date=August 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828072339/https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/mccains-death-marks-a-new-era-for-congressional-checks-on-trump/2018/08/25/c754a2a8-a4a5-11e8-8fac-12e98c13528d_story.html |url-status=live }} McCain died in August 2018, and Inhofe lauded him as his "hero".

Inhofe also said that McCain was "partially to blame for" the White House's controversial decision to raise flags back to full mast after less than two days, as McCain previously "disagreed with the President in certain areas and wasn't too courteous about it".{{cite web |last1=Killough |first1=Ashley |title=GOP senator praises McCain but says he's 'partially to blame' for White House flag controversy |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/08/27/politics/james-inhofe-john-mccain-white-house-flag/index.html |publisher=CNN |date=August 28, 2018 |access-date=August 28, 2018 |archive-date=August 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828012429/https://edition.cnn.com/2018/08/27/politics/james-inhofe-john-mccain-white-house-flag/index.html |url-status=live }}

On March 6, 2019, Inhofe said he intended to put language in the next defense authorization act to reinforce President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear agreement and reintroduce severe sanctions on Tehran.{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/mar/6/jim-inhofe-seeks-to-drive-stake-through-iran-nucle/|title=Sen. Jim Inhofe seeks to drive stake through Iran nuclear deal|first=Lauren|last=Toms|work=The Washington Times|date=March 6, 2019|access-date=September 26, 2020|archive-date=September 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901101408/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/mar/6/jim-inhofe-seeks-to-drive-stake-through-iran-nucle/|url-status=live}}

{{more citations needed section|date=March 2023}}

File:CODEL James Inhofe visit to Kyiv, Ukraine, October 27-28, 2014 01.jpg, Ukraine, October 27–28, 2014]]

During the 115th, 116th, and 117th Congresses, Inhofe was a member of the following committees:

• Committee on Armed Services
• Subcommittee on Airland
• Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support
• Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
• Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
• Committee on Environment and Public Works
• Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship

Caucus memberships

• International Conservation Caucus
• Senate Army Caucus
• Senate Diabetes Caucus
• Senate General Aviation Caucus
• Senate Rural Health Caucus
• Senate Tourism Caucus
• Sportsmen's Caucus

{{see also|2022 United States Senate special election in Oklahoma}}

On July 15, 2021, Inhofe told Tulsa World he planned to retire at the end of his current term, in 2027.{{cite news |last1=Krehbiel |first1=Randy |title=Lankford touts second quarter fundraising ahead of congressional filing deadline |url=https://tulsaworld.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/lankford-touts-second-quarter-fundraising-ahead-of-congressional-filing-deadline/article_30ab20fc-e593-11eb-818f-e7a677061e66.html |access-date=August 6, 2021 |website=Tulsa World |date=July 16, 2021 |archive-date=July 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720033419/https://tulsaworld.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/lankford-touts-second-quarter-fundraising-ahead-of-congressional-filing-deadline/article_30ab20fc-e593-11eb-818f-e7a677061e66.html |url-status=live }} In February 2022, The New York Times reported that Inhofe was planning to resign at the end of the 117th Congress.{{Cite news|last=Martin|first=Jonathan|date=February 24, 2022|title=James Inhofe, Oklahoma Senator, Is Said to Plan an Early Retirement|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/24/us/politics/jim-inhofe-senate-retirement.html|access-date=February 25, 2022|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=February 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226030035/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/24/us/politics/jim-inhofe-senate-retirement.html|url-status=live}} A special election for Inhofe's replacement was held in 2022 while he remained in office.{{Cite web|title=Inhofe to retire from Senate, teeing up special election in Oklahoma|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/02/24/inhofe-to-retire-from-senate-teeing-up-special-election-in-oklahoma-00011534|access-date=February 25, 2022|website=Politico|date=February 24, 2022|language=en|archive-date=June 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627050851/https://www.politico.com/news/2022/02/24/inhofe-to-retire-from-senate-teeing-up-special-election-in-oklahoma-00011534|url-status=live}} He endorsed his former chief of staff, Luke Holland, in the special election.{{cite news |last1=Eger |first1=Andrea |title=U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe announces retirement after 35 years in Congress representing Oklahoma |url=https://tulsaworld.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/u-s-sen-jim-inhofe-announces-retirement-after-35-years-in-congress-representing-oklahoma/article_5e5c9fe0-9659-11ec-a498-dbc0862714df.html |access-date=February 25, 2022 |publisher=Tulsa World |date=February 25, 2022 |archive-date=March 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320115443/https://tulsaworld.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/u-s-sen-jim-inhofe-announces-retirement-after-35-years-in-congress-representing-oklahoma/article_5e5c9fe0-9659-11ec-a498-dbc0862714df.html |url-status=live }} Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district Congressman Markwayne Mullin won the Republican primary and the special election.{{Cite web |author=KOCO Staff |date=November 9, 2022 |title=Oklahoma Election Results: Markwayne Mullin wins race for US Senate, claiming Inhofe's open seat |url=https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-election-results-markwayne-mullin-wins-us-senate-race-kendra-horn/41780490 |access-date=November 9, 2022 |website=KOCO |language=en |archive-date=November 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221109135321/https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-election-results-markwayne-mullin-wins-us-senate-race-kendra-horn/41780490 |url-status=live }} Inhofe resigned on January 3, 2023. It was reported in February 2023 that the primary reason for Inhofe's retirement was related to him suffering symptoms of long COVID, which had severely limited his capacity to do day-to-day activities, after an initial infection he had described as "very mild".{{Cite magazine |last1=Otten |first1=Tori |last2=Thakker |first2=Prem |date=February 24, 2023 |title=The Ticker |magazine=The New Republic |url=https://newrepublic.com/post/170783/jim-inhofe-retired-due-long-covid-says-least-5-congressmembers-have-it |access-date=February 25, 2023 |issn=0028-6583 |archive-date=July 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240710052608/https://newrepublic.com/post/170783/jim-inhofe-retired-due-long-covid-says-least-5-congressmembers-have-it |url-status=live }}

{{Update|section|date=February 2023}}

Inhofe was ranked the most conservative member of Congress on the 2017 GovTrack report card.{{cite web |title=Report Cards for 2017 – All Senators |url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/report-cards/2017/senate |access-date=May 24, 2018 |website=GovTrack |archive-date=May 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524151754/https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/report-cards/2017/senate |url-status=live }} He received the same ranking for 2018.{{cite web |date=January 20, 2019 |title=Report Cards for 2018 – All Senators |url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/report-cards/2018/senate/ideology |access-date=March 20, 2020 |website=GovTrack |archive-date=November 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109174110/https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/report-cards/2018/senate/ideology |url-status=live }} For 2019, he was ranked as the fifth-most conservative member of the U.S. Senate with a score of 0.91 out of 1, behind Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Mike Braun (R-IN), and Ted Cruz (R-TX).{{cite web |date=January 18, 2020 |title=2019 Report Cards: Ideology Score for 2019 |url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/report-cards/2019/senate/ideology |access-date=March 20, 2020 |website=GovTrack |archive-date=March 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320143648/https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/report-cards/2019/senate/ideology |url-status=live }}

Inhofe was best known for his denial of climate change, which he called a "hoax", and his defense of the oil industry, a major industry in Oklahoma. In December 1997, Inhofe called the Kyoto Protocol, an international treaty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere, a "political, economic, and national security fiasco."{{cite web |last=Broder |first=John M. |date=December 12, 1997 |title=The Climate Accord: The Overview; Clinton Adamant On 3d World Role In Climate Accord |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/12/world/climate-accord-overview-clinton-adamant-3d-world-role-climate-accord.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123215246/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/12/world/climate-accord-overview-clinton-adamant-3d-world-role-climate-accord.html |archive-date=January 23, 2022 |access-date=March 9, 2022 |website=The New York Times}}

Before the Republicans regained control of the Senate in the November 2002 elections, Inhofe had compared the United States Environmental Protection Agency to a Gestapo bureaucracy,{{Cite news |last=Myers |first=Jim |date=November 30, 2002 |title=Critics point to Inhofe's record |newspaper=Tulsa World |location=Tulsa, Oklahoma |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?no=subj&articleid=021130_To_a1_criti&archive=yes |url-status=dead |access-date=January 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110505010803/http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?no=subj&articleid=021130_To_a1_criti&archive=yes |archive-date=May 5, 2011}}{{cite web |last=Mooney |first=Chris |author-link=Chris Mooney (journalist) |date=April 16, 2004 |title=Earth Last: James Inhofe proves "flat Earth" doesn't refer to Oklahoma |url=http://prospect.org/article/earth-last-0 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223034632/http://prospect.org/article/earth-last-0 |archive-date=February 23, 2015 |access-date=January 17, 2015 |work=The American Prospect}} and EPA Administrator Carol Browner to Tokyo Rose.{{cite news |last=Schafer |first=Shaun |date=November 18, 1997 |title=Farmers Hear Inhofe Rip EPA |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-epa/145887521/ |work=Tulsa World |location=Tulsa, OK |page=E1 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=April 23, 2024 |archive-date=April 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423022425/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-epa/145887521/ |url-status=live }} In January 2003, he became Chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, and continued challenging mainstream science in favor of what he called "sound science", in accordance with the Luntz memo.

Beginning in 2003, when he was first elected Chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, Inhofe was the foremost Republican promoting climate change denial. He famously claimed in the Senate that global warming is a hoax, invited contrarians to testify in Committee hearings, and spread his views via the Committee website run by Marc Morano as well as through his access to conservative media.{{sfn|Kutney|2014|p=107}}{{cite book |author1=John S. Dryzek |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JihhbdpO-yoC&pg=PA153 |title=The Oxford Handbook of Climate Change and Society |author2=Richard B. Norgaard |author3=David Schlosberg |date=August 18, 2011 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-956660-0 |page=153 |quote=The single most prominent Republican when it comes to climate change denial is Oklahoma Senator James Inhofe, famous for claiming in a Senate speech that global warming is 'the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people.' |access-date=September 11, 2015 |archive-date=July 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240710052606/https://books.google.com/books?id=JihhbdpO-yoC&pg=PA153 |url-status=live }} In 2012, Inhofe's The Greatest Hoax: How the Global Warming Conspiracy Threatens Your Future was published by WorldNetDaily Books, presenting his global warming conspiracy theory.{{cite book |last=Inhofe |first=James |title=The greatest hoax : how the global warming conspiracy threatens your future |publisher=WND Books |year=2012 |isbn=978-1936488490 |edition=1st |location=Washington, D.C.}} He said that, because "God's still up there", the "arrogance of people to think that we, human beings, would be able to change what He is doing in the climate is to me outrageous",{{sfn|Kutney|2014|p=112}}{{cite web |last=Tashman |first=Brian |date=March 8, 2012 |title=James Inhofe Says the Bible Refutes Climate Change |url=http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/james-inhofe-says-bible-refutes-climate-change |access-date=September 26, 2020 |work=Right Wing Watch |archive-date=September 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921201848/http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/james-inhofe-says-bible-refutes-climate-change |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |last=Leber |first=Rebecca |date=November 5, 2014 |title=Congratulations, Voters; You Just Made This Climate Denier the Most Powerful Senator on the Environment |url=https://newrepublic.com/article/120134/climate-change-denier-james-inhofe-lead-environment-committee |magazine=The New Republic |access-date=December 17, 2014 |archive-date=December 30, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230115114/http://www.newrepublic.com/article/120134/climate-change-denier-james-inhofe-lead-environment-committee |url-status=live }} but also that he appreciated that this argument was unpersuasive, and that he "never pointed to Scriptures in a debate, because I know this would discredit me."

As Environment and Public Works chairman, Inhofe gave a two-hour Senate floor speech on July 28, 2003, in the context of discussions on the McCain-Lieberman Bill.{{cite news |last=Revkin |first=Andrew C. |date=August 5, 2003 |title=Politics Reasserts Itself in the Debate Over Climate Change and Its Hazards |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/05/science/politics-reasserts-itself-in-the-debate-over-climate-change-and-its-hazards.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm |access-date=January 13, 2014 |archive-date=December 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219195621/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/05/science/politics-reasserts-itself-in-the-debate-over-climate-change-and-its-hazards.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm |url-status=live }} He said he was "going to expose the most powerful, most highly financed lobby in Washington, the far left environmental extremists", and laid out in detail his opposition to attribution of recent climate change to humans, using the word "hoax" four times, including the statement that he had "offered compelling evidence that catastrophic global warming is a hoax" and his conclusion that "manmade global warming is the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people".{{sfn|Kutney|2014|pp=107–108}}{{cite web |date=July 28, 2003 |title=Congressional Record, Volume 149 Issue 113 (July 28, 2003) |url=http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CREC-2003-07-28/html/CREC-2003-07-28-pt1-PgS10012.htm |access-date=January 13, 2015 |website=U.S. Government Publishing Office Home Page |archive-date=November 29, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129020102/http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CREC-2003-07-28/html/CREC-2003-07-28-pt1-PgS10012.htm |url-status=live }} He supported what he called "sound science", citing contrarian scientists such as Patrick Michaels, Fred Singer, Richard Lindzen, and Sallie Baliunas as well as some mainstream scientists. Two of these, Tom Wigley and Stephen Schneider, later issued statements that Inhofe had misrepresented their work.{{citation |last=Mooney |first=Chris |title=The Republican War on Science |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jr5e7Tz5VNQC&pg=PT83 |pages=84–86 |year=2007 |publisher=Basic Books |isbn=978-0-465-00386-0}}

On July 29, the day after his Senate speech, Inhofe chaired an Environment and Public Works hearing with contrarian views represented by Baliunas and David Legates, and praised their "1,000-year climate study", then involved in the Soon and Baliunas controversy, as "a powerful new work of science". Against them, Michael E. Mann defended mainstream science and specifically his work on reconstructions (the hockey stick graph) that they and the Bush administration disputed.{{citation |last=Mooney |first=Chris |title=The Republican War on Science |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jr5e7Tz5VNQC&pg=PT86 |pages=86–91 |year=2007 |publisher=Basic Books |isbn=978-0-465-00386-0}} During the hearing Senator Jim Jeffords read out an email from Hans von Storch saying he had resigned as editor-in-chief of the journal that published the Soon and Baliunas paper, as the peer review had "failed to detect significant methodological flaws in the paper" and the critique by Mann and colleagues was valid.{{cite journal |last=Monastersky |first=Richard |date=September 2003 |title=Storm Brews Over Global Warming |url=http://chronicle.com/article/Storm-Brews-Over-Global/27779/ |journal=The Chronicle of Higher Education |volume=50 |issue=2 |pages=A16 |access-date=January 13, 2015 |archive-date=March 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110303022201/http://chronicle.com/article/Storm-Brews-Over-Global/27779/ |url-status=live }}

In a continuation of these themes, Inhofe had a 20-page brochure published under the Seal of the United States Senate reiterating his "hoax" statement and comparing the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to a "Soviet style trial". In a section headed "The IPCC Plays Hockey" he attacked what he called "Mann's flawed, limited research."{{sfn|Kutney|2014|p=108}}{{cite web |year=2003 |title=The Facts and Science of Climate Change |url=http://epw.senate.gov/repwhitepapers/ClimateChange.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050427025748/http://epw.senate.gov/repwhitepapers/ClimateChange.pdf |archive-date=April 27, 2005 |access-date=January 19, 2015 |website=US Senate, Environment and Public Works}} The brochure restated themes from Inhofe's Senate speech, and in December 2003 he distributed copies of it in Milan at a meeting about the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, where he met "green activists" with posters quoting him as saying that global warming "is the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people". He signed a poster for them, and thanked them for quoting him correctly. In an October 2004 Senate speech he said, "Global warming is the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people. It was true when I said it before, and it remains true today. Perhaps what has made this hoax so effective is that we hear over and over that the science is settled and there is a consensus that, unless we fundamentally change our way of life by limiting greenhouse gas emissions, we will cause catastrophic global warming. This is simply a false statement."{{sfn|Kutney|2014|p=108}}{{citation |author1=Congress |title=Congressional Record, V. 150, PT. 17, October 9, 2004 to November 17, 2004 |date=November 2009 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KCR3Vw0pUJkC&pg=PA23365 |pages=23365–23371 |publisher=Government Printing Office |isbn=9780160844164 |id=GGKEY:03HFGXC06SY |author2=U S Congress}} In January 2005 Inhofe told Bloomberg News that global warming was "the second-largest hoax ever played on the American people, after the separation of church and state", and that carbon dioxide would not be restricted by the Clear Skies Act of 2003.{{cite web |last=Newton-Small |first=Jay |date=January 21, 2005 |title=Bush Plans Pollution Rules by March, Disappointing Utilities |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aPGjQ7xW7vJY |access-date=November 11, 2014 |work=Bloomberg News |archive-date=November 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111114503/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aPGjQ7xW7vJY |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Pierce |first=Charles P. |author-link=Charlie Pierce |date=February 23, 2005 |title=In Praise of Oklahoma |url=http://prospect.org/article/praise-oklahoma |access-date=September 26, 2020 |work=The American Prospect |archive-date=October 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001204131/https://prospect.org/article/praise-oklahoma/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Nicks |first=Denver |author-link=Denver Nicks |date=July 29, 2009 |title=The Craziest Senator |website=The Daily Beast |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2009/07/29/the-craziest-senator.html |access-date=January 22, 2015 |archive-date=January 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123085433/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2009/07/29/the-craziest-senator.html |url-status=live }} In a Senate Floor "update", he extended his argument against Mann's work by extensively citing Michael Crichton's fictional thriller State of Fear, mistakenly describing Crichton as a "scientist".{{Citation |last1=Mooney |first1=Chris |title=Warmed Over |date=January 11, 2005 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/warmed-over/ |publisher=CBS News |access-date=January 19, 2015 |author-link=Chris Mooney (journalist) |archive-date=October 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020190729/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/01/11/opinion/main666190.shtml |url-status=live }}. Reprinted from The American Prospect, January 10, 2005.{{cite web |last1=Inhofe |first1=James M. |date=January 4, 2005 |title=Climate Change Update Senate Floor Statement |url=https://inhofe.senate.gov/pressreleases/climateupdate.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050112011423/http://inhofe.senate.gov/pressreleases/climateupdate.htm |archive-date=January 12, 2005 |access-date=January 19, 2015 |publisher=Office of Senator James M. Inhofe}} On August 28, 2005, at Inhofe's invitation, Crichton appeared as an expert witness at a hearing on climate change, disputing Mann's work.{{sfn|Kutney|2014|p=108}}

In his 2006 book The Republican War on Science, Chris Mooney wrote that Inhofe "politicizes and misuses the science of climate change".Chris Mooney, The Republican War on Science, Basic Books, 2006, page 227.

During the 2006 North American heat wave, Inhofe said that the environmentalist movement reminded him of "the Third Reich, the Big Lie": "You say something over and over and over and over again, and people will believe it, and that's their strategy."{{Cite news |last=Myers |first=Jim |date=July 22, 2006 |title=Heat wave has senator sticking to beliefs |newspaper=Tulsa World |location=Tulsa, OK |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=060722_Ne_A1_Heatw72040 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100526113359/http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=060722_Ne_A1_Heatw72040 |archive-date=May 26, 2010}}

In a September 2006 Senate speech Inhofe argued that the threat of global warming was exaggerated by "the media, Hollywood elites and our pop culture". He said that in the 1960s the media had switched from warning of global warming to warning of global cooling and a coming ice age, then in the 1970s had returned to warming to promote "climate change fears".[http://epw.senate.gov/speechitem.cfm?party=rep&id=263759 Text of speech by James Inhofe in the Senate on September 25, 2006, on global warming] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070328212224/http://epw.senate.gov/speechitem.cfm?party=rep&id=263759|date=March 28, 2007}}. Retrieved September 28, 2006. In February 2007 he told Fox News that mainstream science increasingly attributed climate change to natural causes, and only "those individuals on the far left, such as Hollywood liberals and the United Nations", disagreed.{{sfn|Kutney|2014|p=109}}

In 2006, Inhofe introduced Senate Amendment 4682 with Kit Bond (R-MO), which would have modified oversight responsibility of the Army Corps of Engineers. The League of Conservation Voters, an environmentalist group, said analyses for corps projects "have been manipulated to favor large-scale projects that harm the environment."{{Cite web |title=LCV Scorecard |url=http://www.lcv.org/images/client/pdfs/LCV_2006_Scorecard_final.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061101211219/http://www.lcv.org/images/client/pdfs/LCV_2006_Scorecard_final.pdf |archive-date=November 1, 2006}} During the 109th Congress, Inhofe voted to increase offshore oil drilling, to include provisions for drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in the House Budget Amendment, and to deny funding for both low-income energy assistance and environmental stewardship, citing heavy costs and unproven programs.

In May 2009, Inhofe gave support to the idea that black carbon is a significant contributor to global warming.{{cite news |last=Goldenberg |first=Suzanne |date=May 5, 2009 |title=US climate change denier James Inhofe joins Al Gore in fight against soot |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/may/05/inhofe-black-carbon-bill |access-date=September 25, 2018 |archive-date=July 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240710052606/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/may/05/inhofe-black-carbon-bill |url-status=live }}

Inhofe received money from the fossil fuel industry. For example: "Exxon's beneficiaries in Congress include the Oklahoma senator Jim Inhofe, who called global warming a hoax, and who has received $20,500 since 2007, according to the Dirty Energy Money database maintained by Oil Change International."{{cite web |last=Goldenberg |first=Suzanne |date=July 15, 2015 |title=ExxonMobil gave millions to climate-denying lawmakers despite pledge |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/15/exxon-mobil-gave-millions-climate-denying-lawmakers |access-date=September 26, 2020 |work=The Guardian |archive-date=July 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713094141/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/15/exxon-mobil-gave-millions-climate-denying-lawmakers |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Search | Dirty Energy Money – Oil Change International |url=http://dirtyenergymoney.com/view.php?searchvalue=Inhofe%2C+Jim&com=&can=N00005582&zip=&search=1&type=search#view=connections |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120630153140/http://dirtyenergymoney.com/view.php?searchvalue=Inhofe%2C+Jim&com=&can=N00005582&zip=&search=1&type=search#view=connections |archive-date=June 30, 2012 |access-date=January 14, 2022 |website=dirtyenergymoney.com}}

On November 23, 2009, as the Climatic Research Unit email controversy emerged, Inhofe said the emails confirmed his view that scientists were "cooking the science".{{sfn|Kutney|2014|p=109}}{{cite web |last=Dempsey |first=Matt |date=November 23, 2009 |title=Listen: Inhofe Says He Will Call for Investigation on "Climategate" on Washington Times Americas Morning Show |url=http://epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Minority.Blogs&ContentRecord_id=2188feb3-802a-23ad-4de4-3fbc0a92e126&Issue_id |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091124234129/http://epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Minority.Blogs&ContentRecord_id=2188feb3-802a-23ad-4de4-3fbc0a92e126&Issue_id |archive-date=November 24, 2009 |access-date=November 29, 2009 |work=The Inhofe EPW Press Blog |publisher=U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works}} On December 7 on the CNN program The Situation Room, Inhofe said that the emails showed that the science behind climate change "has been pretty well debunked"; the fact checking organization PolitiFact concluded that Inhofe's statement was false.{{cite web |last=Richert |first=Catharine |date=December 11, 2009 |title=James Inhofe claims that emails 'debunk' science behind climate change |url=http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2009/dec/11/james-inhofe/inhofe-claims-cru-e-mails-debunk-science-behind-cl/ |access-date=December 23, 2009 |work=PolitiFact |publisher=St. Petersburg Times |archive-date=December 15, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091215142659/http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2009/dec/11/james-inhofe/inhofe-claims-cru-e-mails-debunk-science-behind-cl/ |url-status=live }} On the same day, Inhofe said he would lead a three-man "truth squad" consisting of himself and fellow senators Roger Wicker and John Barrasso to the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. Inhofe was unable to secure meetings with any negotiators or delegations to the conference and only met with a small group of reporters.{{cite web |last=O'Brien |first=Michael |date=December 7, 2009 |title=Wicker joins Inhofe's 'truth squad' |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/56258-wicker-joins-inhofes-truth-squad/ |access-date=December 23, 2009 |work=The Hill}}{{cite web |last=Roug |first=Louise |date=December 19, 2009 |title=Jim Inhofe gets cool reception in Denmark |url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1209/30769.html |access-date=December 23, 2009 |work=Politico |archive-date=December 21, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091221120809/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1209/30769.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Montopoli |first=Brian |date=December 18, 2009 |title=Sen. James Inhofe Called "Ridiculous" |work=CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/12/18/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry5997040.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120724051628/http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/12/18/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry5997040.shtml |archive-date=July 24, 2012}}{{cite web |last=Montanaro |first=Domenico |title=First Read – Inhofe a world hit -no |url=http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/12/18/2156671.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091223080327/http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/12/18/2156671.aspx |archive-date=December 23, 2009 |access-date=August 29, 2010 |publisher=MSNBC}} The minority group of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works prepared a report on "the CRU Controversy", published in February 2010, which listed as "Key Players" 17 scientists including Mann and Phil Jones. Inhofe said it showed that the controversy was "about unethical and potentially illegal behavior by some of the world's leading climate scientists."{{sfn|Kutney|2014|pp=109–111}}{{cite web |date=February 23, 2010 |title=Senate EPW Minority Releases Report On CRU Controversy |url=http://epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Minority.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=fb6d4083-802a-23ad-46e8-c5c098e22aa1&Region_id=&Issue_id= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100227021434/http://epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Minority.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=fb6d4083-802a-23ad-46e8-c5c098e22aa1&Region_id=&Issue_id= |archive-date=February 27, 2010 |access-date=January 22, 2015 |website=U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works :: Minority Page : Press Releases }}
{{cite web |author=Minority Staff |date=February 2010 |title=United States Senate Report; 'Consensus' Exposed: The CRU Controversy |url=http://www.epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Files.View&FileStore_id=7db3fbd8-f1b4-4fdf-bd15-12b7df1a0b63 |access-date=January 22, 2015 |archive-date=January 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118023634/http://www.epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Files.View&FileStore_id=7db3fbd8-f1b4-4fdf-bd15-12b7df1a0b63 |url-status=live }} On May 26 Inhofe formally requested that the Inspector General of the United States Department of Commerce investigate how the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) had dealt with the emails, and whether the emails showed any wrongdoing; it found no major issues or inappropriate actions.{{sfn|Kutney|2014|p=111}}{{Cite news |date=February 24, 2011 |title=U.S. scientists cleared in 'climategate' – Technology & Science |publisher=CBC News |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/u-s-scientists-cleared-in-climategate-1.1031242 |access-date=January 3, 2012 |archive-date=July 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130727151022/http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2011/02/24/science-climategate-noaa.html |url-status=live }}

In July 2010 Inhofe said, "I don't think that anyone disagrees with the fact that we actually are in a cold period that started about nine years ago. Now, that's not me talking, those are the scientists that say that." The Union of Concerned Scientists said that Inhofe was wrong, pointing to a NOAA report indicating that the summer of 2010 had so far been the hottest on record since 1880. Inhofe added, "People on the other side of this argument back in January, they said, 'Inhofe, it has nothing to do with today's or this month or next month. We're looking at a long period of time. We go into twenty year periods.{{'"}}{{cite web |date=July 23, 2010 |title=Senator Inhofe Erroneously Claims We Are In A Nine-Year Cooling Trend |url=http://www.ucsusa.org/news/press_release/senator-inhofe-erroneously-cooling-trend-0427.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002193525/http://www.ucsusa.org/news/press_release/senator-inhofe-erroneously-cooling-trend-0427.html |archive-date=October 2, 2013 |publisher=Union of Concerned Scientists}}{{cite web |date=July 23, 2010 |title=Inhofe:'Global Warming Is Not Occurring |url=https://abcnews.go.com/WN/video/inhofe-global-warming-occurring-11237688 |access-date=September 26, 2020 |publisher=ABC News |archive-date=August 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802135007/https://abcnews.go.com/WN/video/inhofe-global-warming-occurring-11237688 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Karl |first1=Jonathan |last2=Wolf |first2=Z. Byron |date=July 23, 2010 |title=Amid Heat Wave, Senator Talks 'Global Cooling' |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/amid-heat-wave-senator-talks-global-coolilng/story?id=11237381 |access-date=September 26, 2020 |publisher=ABC News |archive-date=August 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809150124/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/amid-heat-wave-senator-talks-global-coolilng/story?id=11237381 |url-status=live }}

During a House committee hearing in 2011, Inhofe testified, "I have to admit—and, you know, confession is good for the soul ... I, too, once thought that catastrophic global warming was caused by anthropogenic gases—because everyone said it was."{{cite magazine |last=Plumer |first=Bradford |date=February 10, 2011 |title=Is This What The Climate-Change Debate Has Come To? |url=http://www.tnr.com/article/environment-energy/83196/epa-regulations-congress-inhofe-upton |magazine=The New Republic |access-date=March 16, 2011}} Under questioning from committee member Jay Inslee, Inhofe dismissed the notion that he was less knowledgeable than climate scientists, saying that he'd already given "five speeches on the science."

File:Senator James Inhofe throws a snowball in the Senate.webm, Inhofe displayed a snowball—in winter—as evidence the globe was not warming{{cite news |last1=Barrett |first1=Ted |date=February 27, 2015 |title=Inhofe brings snowball on Senate floor as evidence globe is not warming |agency=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2015/02/26/politics/james-inhofe-snowball-climate-change/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407052944/https://www.cnn.com/2015/02/26/politics/james-inhofe-snowball-climate-change/ |archive-date=April 7, 2023 |url-status=live }}—in a year that was found to be Earth's record warmest to date.{{cite web |title=NASA, NOAA Analyses Reveal Record-Shattering Global Warm Temperatures in 2015 |url=https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-noaa-analyses-reveal-record-shattering-global-warm-temperatures-in-2015/ |publisher=NASA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231229081034/https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-noaa-analyses-reveal-record-shattering-global-warm-temperatures-in-2015/ |archive-date=December 29, 2023 |date=January 20, 2016 |url-status=live}} The director of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies distinguished local weather in a single location in a single week from global climate change.{{cite news |last1=Woolf |first1=Nicky |title=Republican Senate environment chief uses snowball as prop in climate rant |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/feb/26/senate-james-inhofe-snowball-climate-change |work=The Guardian |date=February 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231021221844/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/feb/26/senate-james-inhofe-snowball-climate-change |archive-date=October 21, 2023 |url-status=live }}]]

On January 21, 2015, Inhofe returned to chairing the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works as part of a new Republican majority in the Senate. In response to NOAA and NASA reports that 2014 had been the warmest year globally in the temperature record, he said, "we had the coldest in the western hemisphere in the same time frame", and attributed changes to a 30-year cycle, not human activities.{{cite web |last=Cama |first=Timothy |date=January 21, 2015 |title=Sen. Inhofe takes charge of Environment Committee |url=https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/230254-sen-inhofe-takes-charge-of-environment-committee/ |access-date=January 22, 2015 |website=The Hill |archive-date=January 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150124040112/http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/230254-sen-inhofe-takes-charge-of-environment-committee |url-status=live }} In a debate on the same day about a bill for the Keystone XL pipeline, Inhofe endorsed an amendment proposed by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, "Climate change is real and not a hoax", which passed 98–1. Inhofe clarified his view that "Climate is changing and climate has always changed and always will. There is archaeological evidence of that, there is biblical evidence of that, there is historical evidence of that", but added, "there are some people who are so arrogant to think they are so powerful they can change climate."{{cite web |last=Cappiello |first=Dina |date=January 21, 2015 |title=Senate says climate change real, but doesn't agree on cause |url=http://www.daytondailynews.com/ap/ap/top-news/senate-republicans-climate-change-not-a-hoax/njsm7/ |access-date=January 26, 2015 |work=Dayton Daily News |agency=The Associated Press}}

On February 26, 2015, Inhofe brought a snowball to the Senate floor and tossed it before delivering remarks in which he said that environmentalists keep talking about global warming even though it keeps getting cold.{{cite web |last=Casteel |first=Chris |date=February 26, 2015 |title=Sen. Inhofe throws snowball on U.S. Senate floor |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/sen-inhofe-throws-snowball-on-u-s-senate-floor/article_af064ad5-1c04-5c9d-8f48-0b7866280464.html |access-date=April 14, 2015 |work=Tulsa World |archive-date=May 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200530193152/https://www.tulsaworld.com/sen-inhofe-throws-snowball-on-u-s-senate-floor/article_af064ad5-1c04-5c9d-8f48-0b7866280464.html |url-status=live }}

On March 19, 2015, Inhofe introduced S.828, "The Fracturing Regulations are Effective in State Hands (FRESH) Act." The bill would transfer regulatory power over hydraulic fracturing from the federal government to state governments. In his announcement of the bill, Inhofe said that hydraulic fracturing had never contaminated ground water in Oklahoma.{{cite web |title=.: U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works :: Majority Page :. |url=http://www.epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Majority.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=31c63566-c7a1-79fe-3f39-761a806c1ad2 |access-date=April 6, 2015 |website=epw.senate.gov |archive-date=April 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413041951/http://www.epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Majority.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=31c63566-c7a1-79fe-3f39-761a806c1ad2 |url-status=live }} The U.S. senators from seven states (Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, South Dakota and Texas) cosponsored the bill.{{cite web |date=March 19, 2015 |title=Cosponsors – S.828 – 114th Congress (2015–2016): Fracturing Regulations are Effective in State Hands Act {{!}} Congress.gov {{!}} Library of Congress |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/828/cosponsors |access-date=April 6, 2015 |website=congress.gov |archive-date=July 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705033007/https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/828/cosponsors |url-status=live }}

Inhofe co-authored and was one of 22 senators to sign a letter{{cite web |title=Senator James Inhofe |url=https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/download/?id=E1E34574-5655-42AA-92E8-0D23DC8C33BA&download=1 |access-date=June 7, 2017 |archive-date=June 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606005302/https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/download/?id=E1E34574-5655-42AA-92E8-0D23DC8C33BA&download=1 |url-status=dead }} to President Donald Trump urging him to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement. According to OpenSecrets, Inhofe had received over $529,000 from the oil and gas industry since 2012.{{cite news |last1=McCarthy |first1=Tom |last2=Gambino |first2=Lauren |date=June 1, 2017 |title=The Republicans who urged Trump to pull out of Paris deal are big oil darlings |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jun/01/republican-senators-paris-climate-deal-energy-donations |access-date=June 1, 2017 |archive-date=June 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170601120951/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jun/01/republican-senators-paris-climate-deal-energy-donations |url-status=live }}

In October 2017, Inhofe co-sponsored the Israel Anti-Boycott Act (S. 720), which would have made it a federal crime for Americans to encourage or participate in boycotts against Israel and Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories if protesting actions by the Israeli government.{{cite web|date=March 23, 2017|title=Cosponsors – S.720 – 115th Congress (2017-2018): Israel Anti-Boycott Act|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/720/cosponsors|website=congress.gov|access-date=August 31, 2019|archive-date=June 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621142604/https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/720/cosponsors|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Levitz|first=Eric|date=July 19, 2017|title=43 Senators Want to Make It a Federal Crime to Boycott Israeli Settlements|url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2017/07/senate-bill-would-make-it-a-federal-crime-to-boycott-israel.html|access-date=September 26, 2020|website=Intelligencer|language=en|archive-date=July 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727013113/https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2017/07/senate-bill-would-make-it-a-federal-crime-to-boycott-israel.html|url-status=live}}

Inhofe supported the Polisario Front and traveled to Algeria many times to meet with its leaders.{{Cite web|last=Ravid|first=Barak|title=Fallout between Trump and top GOP senator made Morocco-Israel deal possible|url=https://www.axios.com/trump-morocco-israel-inhofe-cc6e66a4-cd1b-4c08-9126-0c3e608b38fb.html|access-date=December 11, 2020|website=Axios|date=December 11, 2020|language=en|archive-date=December 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219121537/https://www.axios.com/trump-morocco-israel-inhofe-cc6e66a4-cd1b-4c08-9126-0c3e608b38fb.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|date=December 11, 2020|title=Morocco and Israel to establish diplomatic relations with U.S. backing|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/israel-morocco-diplomatic-ties/2020/12/10/e9122db2-3b06-11eb-aad9-8959227280c4_story.html|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=December 11, 2020|archive-date=December 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201223172254/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/israel-morocco-diplomatic-ties/2020/12/10/e9122db2-3b06-11eb-aad9-8959227280c4_story.html|url-status=live}} He urged Morocco to hold a referendum on independence for Western Sahara. In 2017, Inhofe blocked the Trump administration's nomination of J. Peter Pham for Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, citing a disagreement over Western Sahara.{{Cite web|last=Gramer|first=Dan De Luce, Robbie|title=GOP Senator Blocks Plans to Fill Africa Post at State Department|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2017/08/25/gop-senator-blocks-plans-to-fill-africa-post-at-state-department/|access-date=December 11, 2020|website=Foreign Policy|date=August 25, 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=March 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330061438/http://foreignpolicy.com/2017/08/25/gop-senator-blocks-plans-to-fill-africa-post-at-state-department/|url-status=live}}

After the December 2020 Israel–Morocco normalization agreement, Inhofe sharply criticized the Trump administration for recognizing Morocco's claim over Western Sahara, calling the decision "shocking and deeply disappointing" and adding that he was "saddened that the rights of the Western Sahara people have been traded away".{{Cite web|last=Levine|first=Marianne|title=Inhofe slams Trump administration on Western Sahara policy|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/10/inhofe-slams-trump-administration-on-western-sahara-policy-444459|access-date=December 11, 2020|website=Politico|date=December 10, 2020|language=en|archive-date=February 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206194300/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/10/inhofe-slams-trump-administration-on-western-sahara-policy-444459|url-status=live}}

Inhofe opposed the 2021 withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan under President Biden, saying that Biden should maintain "a relatively small troop presence until the conditions outlined in the 2020 U.S.-Taliban Agreement are fully implemented."{{cite news |title=Top Republican proposes leaving 1,000 US troops in Afghanistan into next year |url=https://thehill.com/policy/defense/558299-top-republican-proposes-leaving-1000-us-troops-in-afghanistan-into-next-year/ |work=The Hill |date=June 14, 2021 |access-date=April 16, 2024 |archive-date=April 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410141018/https://thehill.com/policy/defense/558299-top-republican-proposes-leaving-1000-us-troops-in-afghanistan-into-next-year/ |url-status=live }}

Inhofe wrote the Inhofe Amendment to the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006, which was debated in Congress in May 2006. The amendment would make English the national language of the United States and require that new citizens take an English proficiency test. The amendment was passed on May 18, 2006, with 32 Democrats, one independent, and one Republican dissenting. The measure had 11 cosponsors, including one Democrat.{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2006/05/19/senate-votes-english-as-national-language-span-classbankheadbill-keeps-in-place-multilingual-lawsspan/3454e593-db85-43b7-8659-f455a6c8134e/|title=Senate Votes English as 'National Language' Bill Keeps in Place Multilingual Laws|last1=Weisman|first1=Jonathan|last2=VandeHei|first2=Jim|author-link2=Jim VandeHei|date=May 19, 2006|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=September 26, 2020|archive-date=September 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922231648/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2006/05/19/senate-votes-english-as-national-language-span-classbankheadbill-keeps-in-place-multilingual-lawsspan/3454e593-db85-43b7-8659-f455a6c8134e/|url-status=live}}

In the aftermath of the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, Inhofe blamed the "culture of sanctuary cities" for the shootings.{{cite web|last=Golshan|first=Tara|date=October 3, 2017|title=Republican senator blames the culture of "sanctuary cities" for mass shootings|url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/10/3/16412100/republican-sanctuary-cities-las-vegas-shooting-inhofe|access-date=October 3, 2017|work=Vox|archive-date=October 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003223153/https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/10/3/16412100/republican-sanctuary-cities-las-vegas-shooting-inhofe|url-status=live}}

File:Inhofefamily-noglbt.png

Inhofe was generally seen as overtly hostile by LGBT advocacy groups, earning a 0% in every one of his terms on the Human Rights Campaign's position scorecard.{{Cite web|url=http://www.hrc.org/your_community/your_elected_officials.asp?state=OK&x=20&y=11&view=myofficials&zip=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319211702/http://www.hrc.org/your_community/your_elected_officials.asp?state=OK&x=20&y=11&view=myofficials&zip=|title=HRC profile of James Inhofe|archive-date=March 19, 2012}} Inhofe was in favor of a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, against adding sexual orientation to the definition of hate crimes, and voted against prohibiting job discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.{{cite web |url=http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/James_Inhofe.htm |title=James Inhofe on the Issues |website=OnTheIssues |access-date=December 21, 2007 |archive-date=January 16, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080116015032/http://ontheissues.org/Senate/James_Inhofe.htm |url-status=live }} In 2008, Inhofe said his office "does not hire openly gay staffers due to the possibility of a conflict of agenda."[http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2001976967_gays11.html Reprinted in Seattle Times] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080918075623/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2001976967_gays11.html |date=September 18, 2008 }}, "Senate takes up fight on banning gay marriages." Chicago Tribune. Jill Zuckman and Anastasia Ustinova, Washington Bureau. July 11, 2004

Inhofe campaigned for his Senate seat in 1994 using the phrase "God, guns, and gays."[https://books.google.com/books?id=7hqCYMRDMWQC&q=inhofe+god+guns+gaysThe&pg=PR12 Freshmen: What Happened to the Republican Revolution?]{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Linda Killian, 1999. Basic Books. "From there it was on to Hominy, where Inhofe walked up and down Main Street and stopped by the local coffee shop to shake some hands. He told the morning customers the Senate race could be summed up by the "three Gs – God, gays, and guns." Inhofe asserted Dave McCurdy was a liberal Washington insider out of touch with what Oklahomans care about, who was against prayer in schools, for gays in the military and gun control, and who voted with Bill Clinton more than 80 percent of the time."Jacob Weisberg. "[https://books.google.com/books?id=WuMCAAAAMBAJ&dq=inhofe+god+guns+gays&pg=PA41 Why It's Even Worse For Clinton Than You Think] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408094927/https://books.google.com/books?id=WuMCAAAAMBAJ&dq=inhofe+god+guns+gays&pg=PA41 |date=April 8, 2023 }}", New York Magazine, November 21, 1994, page 41. Inhofe describes how the phrase came to be in The Associated Press via [https://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2008-09-18-2881050521_x.htm USA Today] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618231545/http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2008-09-18-2881050521_x.htm |date=June 18, 2012 }}, Ron Jenkins, September 18, 2008. "Inhofe, in a telephone interview from Washington, recalled that 14 years ago he was told by a small group in Hugo that he would carry McCurtain County, a Democratic stronghold in southeastern Oklahoma. He said he asked the Hugo residents why he would win, "and they said because of the three G's. They're the ones who came up with that and it became almost a chant out there." In 2008, his campaign was noted by the Associated Press for running an ad with "anti-gay overtones" featuring a wedding cake with two male figures on top, fading into his opponent's face.{{cite news|last=Jenkins|first=Ron|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/politics/2008-09-18-2881050521_x.htm|title=Oklahoma's Inhofe on attack again in Senate race|agency=Associated Press|date=September 18, 2008|access-date=May 16, 2015|archive-date=May 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511031020/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/politics/2008-09-18-2881050521_x.htm|url-status=live}}

In 1999, along with Republican colleagues Tim Hutchinson and Bob Smith, and Republican Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, Inhofe stalled the nomination of James Hormel, a gay man, as US Ambassador to Luxembourg for over 20 months specifically because of Hormel's sexual orientation.{{cite news |title=Finally, Mr. Hormel Gets the Job |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/05/opinion/finally-mr-hormel-gets-the-job.html |access-date=July 11, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=June 5, 1999 |archive-date=July 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713164140/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/05/opinion/finally-mr-hormel-gets-the-job.html |url-status=live }} President Bill Clinton eventually appointed him in a recess appointment, making him the United States' first openly gay ambassador in June 1999, and angering Inhofe, who held up seven more Clinton appointees in retaliation.{{cite news |title=Let Them Vote on Mr. Hormel |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/22/opinion/let-them-vote-on-mr-hormel.html |access-date=July 11, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=June 22, 1998 |archive-date=July 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712003601/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/22/opinion/let-them-vote-on-mr-hormel.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Shenon |first1=Philip |title=In Protest, Senator Blocks All Nominations |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/09/us/in-protest-senator-blocks-all-nominations.html |access-date=July 11, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=June 9, 1999 |archive-date=July 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712003551/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/09/us/in-protest-senator-blocks-all-nominations.html |url-status=live }}

In 2015, Inhofe condemned the Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, which held that same-sex marriage bans violated the Constitution.{{Cite web |title=The Voter's Self Defense System |url=http://votesmart.org/ |access-date=April 12, 2022 |website=Vote Smart |archive-date=December 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211224937/https://votesmart.org/ |url-status=live }}

In 1995, Inhofe voted to ban affirmative action hiring with federal funds.{{cite web |title=Senate Vote on 1995-317 |url=https://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_1995-317.htm |website=On the Issues |access-date=March 20, 2020 |archive-date=February 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219020119/https://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_1995-317.htm |url-status=live }} In 1997, he voted to end special funding for minority- and women-owned businesses. The bill he voted for would have abolished a program that helps businesses owned by women and minorities to compete for federally funded transportation; it did not pass.{{cite web |title=Senate Votes on 1997-275 |url=https://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_1997-275.htm |website=On the Issues |access-date=March 20, 2020 |archive-date=December 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229044909/https://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_1997-275.htm |url-status=live }} The next year, Inhofe voted to repeal the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program,{{cite web |title=Senate Votes on 1998-23 |url=https://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_1998-23.htm |website=On the Issues |access-date=March 20, 2020 |archive-date=January 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200104075155/https://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_1998-23.htm |url-status=live }} which is designed to "remedy ongoing discrimination and the continuing effects of past discrimination in federally-assisted highway, transit, airport, and highway safety financial assistance transportation contracting markets nationwide" by allocating 10% of highway funds to benefit the business enterprises of racial minorities and women.{{cite web |title=Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program |url=https://www.transportation.gov/civil-rights/disadvantaged-business-enterprise |website=U.S. Department of Transportation |access-date=March 20, 2020 |archive-date=March 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320154429/https://www.transportation.gov/civil-rights/disadvantaged-business-enterprise |url-status=live }}

Overall, in 2002, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) rated Inhofe at 20%, indicating that he held an anti-racial civil rights record.{{cite web |title=02n-ACLU on Dec 31, 2002 |url=https://www.ontheissues.org/Notebook/Note_02n-ACLU.htm |website=On the Issues |access-date=March 20, 2020 |archive-date=April 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417072352/https://www.ontheissues.org/Notebook/Note_02n-ACLU.htm |url-status=live }} Four years later, on December 31, 2006, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) rated Inhofe at 7%, indicating that he held an anti-civil rights and anti-affirmative action record.{{cite web |title=06n-NAACP on Dec 31, 2006 |url=https://www.ontheissues.org/Notebook/Note_06n-NAACP.htm |website=On the Issues |access-date=March 20, 2020 |archive-date=April 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417065958/https://www.ontheissues.org/Notebook/Note_06n-NAACP.htm |url-status=live }}

In 2001, Inhofe voted to loosen restrictions on cell phone wiretapping.{{cite web |title=Senate Vote on 2001-300 |url=https://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_2001-300.htm |website=On the Issues |access-date=March 20, 2020 |archive-date=February 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219020133/https://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_2001-300.htm |url-status=live }} The bill, which passed, removed the requirement that a person or party implementing an order to wiretap a private citizen's cellphone must ascertain that the target of the surveillance is present in the house or using the phone that has been tapped.{{cite web |title=S.1510 – USA Act of 2001 |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/senate-bill/1510/text |website=Congress.gov |date=October 30, 2001 |publisher=Library of Congress |access-date=March 20, 2020 |archive-date=May 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520115149/https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/senate-bill/1510/text |url-status=live }}

In 1995, Inhofe co-sponsored a constitutional amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would give Congress and individual U.S. states the power to prohibit the physical desecration of the American flag. The bill's primary sponsor was Orrin Hatch (R-UT).{{cite web |title=S.J.Res.31 – A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to grant Congress and the States the power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States. |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/31/text |website=Congress.gov |date=December 12, 1995 |publisher=Library of Congress |access-date=March 20, 2020 |archive-date=March 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320154427/https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/31/text |url-status=live }}

Inhofe, an initial sponsor of Senator Jim Webb's Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008, subsequently withdrew support for this bill to support S. 2938, a competing bill that would have provided benefits beyond those offered in Webb's bill.{{cite web|url=http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/05/military_gibill_showdown_050608w/|title=Senate prepares for GI Bill showdown|work=Army Times|access-date=September 25, 2018}} But he voted to enact Webb's legislation in June 2008.[https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=2&vote=00162United States Senate Roll Call Votes, 110th Congress, 2nd Session] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240710053125/https://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/general/one_item_and_teasers/waf.htm |date=July 10, 2024 }}. Retrieved September 1, 2009.

Inhofe agreed to support legislation allowing military mental health specialists to talk with veterans about private firearms in an effort to reduce suicides.{{cite news|last1=Dao|first1=James|title=As Military Suicides Rise, Focus Is on Private Weapons|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/08/us/with-military-suicides-rising-new-policies-take-shape.html?pagewanted=all&action=click&module=Search®ion=searchResults%234&version=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fquery.nytimes.com%2Fsearch%2Fsitesearch%2F%23%2Fjames%2Bm%2Binhofe%2Fsince1851%2Farticles%2F5%2F|access-date=August 15, 2014|newspaper=The New York Times|date=October 7, 2012|archive-date=September 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923122302/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/08/us/with-military-suicides-rising-new-policies-take-shape.html?pagewanted=all&action=click&module=Search®ion=searchResults%234&version=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fquery.nytimes.com%2Fsearch%2Fsitesearch%2F%23%2Fjames%2Bm%2Binhofe%2Fsince1851%2Farticles%2F5%2F|url-status=live}}

Trained by the U.S. Navy, Inhofe was one of the few members of Congress holding a Commercial Airman certificate. In 1994, when he first ran for the U.S. Senate, he used his plane as a daily campaign vehicle to travel throughout Oklahoma and visit almost every town in the state.[https://books.google.com/books?id=7hqCYMRDMWQC&dq=inhofe%20god%20guns%20gays&pg=PR12 The Freshmen: What Happened to the Republican Revolution?]{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Linda Killian, 1999. Basic Books. "Inhofe, one of Congress's few certified commercial pilots, has been crisscrossing the state in his 1969 Piper Aztec and managed to visit almost every town in Oklahoma before the end of the campaign." He was influential in Senate and Congressional debates involving aircraft regulation.The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association [http://www.aopa.org/feature/election08/congress.html says this about Inhofe] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081020051246/http://www.aopa.org/feature/election08/congress.html |date=October 20, 2008 }} In 2012, he authored the Pilot's Bill of Rights bill.{{Cite web |title=Inhofe continues fight for pilots' rights — General Aviation News |author=Tom Snow |work=generalaviationnews.com |date=September 1, 2015 |access-date=August 9, 2022 |url=https://generalaviationnews.com/2015/09/01/inhofe-continues-flight-for-pilots-rights/ |archive-date=August 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809164002/https://generalaviationnews.com/2015/09/01/inhofe-continues-flight-for-pilots-rights/ |url-status=live }}

Inhofe said that he made over 140 trips to Africa over about 20 years and helped to get United States Africa Command established.{{cite interview |last=Inhofe |first=Jim |subject-link=Jim Inhofe |interviewer=Hugh Hewitt |title=Hugh Hewitt Show|date=January 19, 2017}} He made multiple foreign trips, especially to Africa, on missions that he described as "a Jesus thing" and that were paid for by the U.S. government. He used these trips for activities on behalf of The Fellowship, a Christian organization.{{Cite news|last=Casteel|first=Chris|title=U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe's trips to Africa called a 'Jesus thing'|newspaper=The Oklahoman|date=December 21, 2008|url=http://newsok.com/u.s.-senator-jim-inhofes-trips-to-africa-called-a-jesus-thing/article/3331838|access-date=December 31, 2010|archive-date=January 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120092958/http://newsok.com/u.s.-senator-jim-inhofes-trips-to-africa-called-a-jesus-thing/article/3331838|url-status=live}} Inhofe said that his trips included some governmental work but also involved "the political philosophy of Jesus, something that had been put together by Doug Coe, the leader of The Fellowship ... It's all scripturally based." Inhofe used his access as a senator to pursue religious goals.{{Cite web|last=Sharlet|first=Jeff|author-link=Jeff Sharlet (writer)|title=Junkets for Jesus|newspaper=Mother Jones|date=September 27, 2010|url=http://motherjones.com/politics/2010/11/doug-coe-inhofe-siljander-c-street|access-date=December 31, 2010|archive-date=June 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170604224252/http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2010/11/doug-coe-inhofe-siljander-c-street|url-status=live}}

Inhofe consistently voted against federal disaster relief, most notably in the case of relief for the 24 states affected by Hurricane Sandy,{{cite web |title=Oklahoma tornado: Tom Coburn, James Inhofe voted against 2011 FEMA funds, Sandy aid |url=http://newyork.newsday.com/news/nation/oklahoma-tornado-tom-coburn-james-inhofe-voted-against-2011-fema-funds-sandy-aid-1.5315199 |work=Bloomberg News |access-date=May 22, 2013 }}{{Dead link|date=January 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} but argued for and voted for federal aid when natural disasters hit Oklahoma.{{cite news|title=Inhofe: Tornado aid 'totally different' from Hurricane Sandy aid|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/05/21/inhofe-tornado-totally-different-from-hurricane-sandy/|first1=Rachel|last1=Werner|first2=Matt|last2=DeLong|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=March 21, 2013|access-date=May 22, 2013|archive-date=May 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522070013/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/05/21/inhofe-tornado-totally-different-from-hurricane-sandy/|url-status=live}} In defense of his decision to vote against a relief fund for Sandy but not in Oklahoma after tornadoes ravaged it in May 2013, he claimed the situations were "totally different", in that the Sandy funding involved "Everybody getting in and exploiting the tragedy that took place. That won't happen in Oklahoma."{{cite web|url=http://www.jdjournal.com/2013/05/22/senator-jim-inhofe-voted-against-hurricane-relief-fund-but-says-the-oklahoma-tornado-tragedy-of-his-home-state-is-totally-different/|title=Senator Jim Inhofe Voted Against Hurricane Relief Fund, but Says the Oklahoma Tornado Tragedy of His Home State is "Totally Different"|work=JDJournal|first=Daniel|last=June|date=May 22, 2013|access-date=September 26, 2020|archive-date=September 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919072144/https://www.jdjournal.com/2013/05/22/senator-jim-inhofe-voted-against-hurricane-relief-fund-but-says-the-oklahoma-tornado-tragedy-of-his-home-state-is-totally-different/|url-status=live}} Inhofe pointedly did not thank President Obama for his attention to the tragedy in his state, so as to not be compared to Chris Christie.{{cite web |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2013/05/oklahoma-tornado-jim-inhofe-91933.html|title=Inhofe: W.H. can't 'Christie' me|work=Politico|first=Kevin|last=Cirilli|date=May 28, 2013 |access-date=September 25, 2018}}

Inhofe was instrumental in securing millions of dollars of federal funds to clean up contamination at a former mining hub in northeast Oklahoma after the affected site had spent decades on the Environmental Protection Agency Superfund list. He supported participation in the massive federal government buyout program for the Tar Creek Superfund site that purchased homes and businesses within a 40-square-mile (104-square-kilometer) region where for decades, children consistently tested positive for dangerous levels of lead in their blood.Miller, Ken, [https://apnews.com/article/republican-senator-jim-inhofe-obit-2a3ac758737845c0aa2e05ae2036005b Former US Sen. Jim Inhofe, defense hawk who called human-caused climate change a ‘hoax,’ dies at 89] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709164618/https://apnews.com/article/republican-senator-jim-inhofe-obit-2a3ac758737845c0aa2e05ae2036005b |date=July 9, 2024 }}, Associated Press, July 9, 2024

In April 2021, Inhofe expressed support for bringing back earmarks to the United States Senate.{{cite news |last1=Timplinson |first1=Joseph |title=Oklahoma Senators Inhofe, Lankford Split Ahead Of Earmarks Vote |url=https://www.kgou.org/post/oklahoma-senators-inhofe-lankford-split-ahead-earmarks-vote |access-date=April 19, 2021 |publisher=KGOU |date=April 15, 2021 |archive-date=April 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419174802/https://www.kgou.org/post/oklahoma-senators-inhofe-lankford-split-ahead-earmarks-vote |url-status=live }} The Tulsa World credited Inhofe for how he "relentlessly pursued" federal investment for highways, aviation, and military bases in the state.

In 2005, Inhofe included a midnight rider in that year's transportation bill that prevented federally recognized tribes in Oklahoma from administering Environmental Protection Agency regulations, a practice allowed by federal law in other states.{{cite news |last1=Savage |first1=Tres |title=After stroke, former Sen. Jim Inhofe dies at 89 |url=https://nondoc.com/2024/07/09/after-stroke-former-sen-jim-inhofe-dies-at-89/ |access-date=7 August 2024 |work=NonDoc |date=9 July 2024}}

On February 12, 1999, Inhofe was one of 50 senators to vote to convict and remove Bill Clinton from office.{{cite news|title=Roll Call of Votes on Articles of Impeachment|url=https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/politics/021399ap-rollcall-vote.html|newspaper=The New York Times|agency=Associated Press|date=February 12, 1999|access-date=December 29, 2019|archive-date=January 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200106164903/https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/politics/021399ap-rollcall-vote.html|url-status=live}} On February 5, 2020, he voted to acquit Donald Trump,{{cite news |title=Trump impeachment vote count |url=https://www.politico.com/interactives/2019/trump-impeachment-vote-count-senate-results/ |access-date=9 July 2024 |work=Politico |date=5 February 2020 |language=en |archive-date=February 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205215232/https://www.politico.com/interactives/2019/trump-impeachment-vote-count-senate-results/ |url-status=live }} and on February 13, 2021, he voted to acquit Trump for the second time.{{cite news |title=Here's how senators voted on Trump's second impeachment |url=https://www.politico.com/interactives/2021/trump-second-impeachment-senate-vote/ |access-date=9 July 2024 |work=Politico |date=13 February 2021 |language=en |archive-date=July 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240710053126/https://www.politico.com/interactives/2021/trump-second-impeachment-senate-vote/ |url-status=live }}

Early during the Republican Party presidential primaries in 2016, Inhofe endorsed fellow Republican John Kasich.{{cite news |title=Senator Jim Inhofe announces support for Governor John Kasich |url=https://www.kswo.com/story/31493498/senator-jim-inhofe-announces-support-for-governor-john-kasich/ |access-date=October 9, 2020 |work=KSWO|date=March 17, 2016}} During Donald Trump's presidency, he voted in line with Trump's position 94.2% of the time.{{Cite web|url=https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/congress-trump-score/|title=Tracking Congress In The Age Of Trump|last=Bycoffe|first=Aaron|date=January 30, 2017|website=FiveThirtyEight|language=en|access-date=January 24, 2019|archive-date=January 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190102194848/https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/congress-trump-score/|url-status=dead}}

In December 2018, Inhofe bought $50,000 to $100,000 worth of stock in Raytheon, a major defense contractor that has billions of dollars' worth of contracts with the Pentagon. The week before, he had successfully lobbied the Trump administration to increase military spending. Ethics watchdogs said the purchase raised conflict of interest concerns, and noted that members of Congress are not allowed to purchase stocks on the basis of information that is not publicly available. Inhofe sold the stock shortly after reporters asked him about the purchase. He said the purchase was made by a third-party adviser who manages Inhofe's investments on his behalf.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/13/us/politics/james-inhofe-raytheon.html|title=James Inhofe Under Fire Over Purchase of Raytheon Stock|last=Edmondson|first=Catie|date=December 13, 2018|work=The New York Times|access-date=December 14, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=December 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214034340/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/13/us/politics/james-inhofe-raytheon.html|url-status=live}}

{{Expand section|date=March 2023|with=pre-2016 Supreme Court nominations}}

File:Amy Coney Barrett and Jim Inhofe.jpg nominee Amy Coney Barrett.]]

In March 2016, around seven months before the next presidential election, Inhofe argued that the Senate should not consider Obama's Supreme Court nominee because "we must let the people decide the Supreme Court's future" via the presidential election.{{cite news |last1=Desjardins |first1=Lisa |title=What every Republican senator has said about filling a Supreme Court vacancy in an election year |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/what-every-republican-senator-has-said-about-filling-a-supreme-court-vacancy-in-an-election-year |access-date=October 1, 2020 |work=PBS NewsHour |date=September 22, 2020 |archive-date=October 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031171254/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/what-every-republican-senator-has-said-about-filling-a-supreme-court-vacancy-in-an-election-year |url-status=live }} In September 2020, less than two months before the next presidential election, Inhofe supported an immediate vote on Trump's nominee to fill the Supreme Court vacancy caused by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death.

Inhofe also voted to confirm Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh (Trump's other two Supreme Court nominations) while voting against Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan (Obama's two Supreme Court nominations). All four were successful.

Inhofe refused to support delaying the certification of the 2020 United States presidential election and said doing so would have violated his oath of office.

On May 28, 2021, Inhofe abstained from voting on the creation of an independent commission to investigate the January 6 United States Capitol attack.{{cite news |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=May 28, 2021 |title=Which senators supported a Jan. 6 Capitol riot commission |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/interactive/2021/january6-commission-senators-vote/ |access-date=May 29, 2021 |archive-date=May 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526225939/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/interactive/2021/january6-commission-senators-vote/ |url-status=live }}

File:Jim Inhofe boards his airplane positioned in front of Base Ops following a brief visit to Tinker Air Force Base.jpg in 2017]]

On December 19, 1959, Inhofe married Kay Kirkpatrick, with whom he had four children.{{cite web |last1=Laviola |first1=Erin |title=Senator James Inhofe's Family: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know |url=https://heavy.com/news/2018/12/senator-james-inhofe-family/ |website=Heavy |date=December 13, 2018 |access-date=October 22, 2019 |archive-date=October 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022204437/https://heavy.com/news/2018/12/senator-james-inhofe-family/ |url-status=live }} His mother, Blanche M. Inhofe, died in 1975.{{cite news |title=Mrs. Inhofe's Service Today |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/889175474/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=May 1, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=August 7, 1975 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=May 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501021214/https://www.newspapers.com/image/889175474/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }} On November 10, 2013, one of Inhofe's sons, Perry Inhofe, died in a plane crash in Owasso, Oklahoma, flying alone for the first time since training in a newly acquired Mitsubishi MU-2.{{cite web|last=Lynch|first=Kerry|title=NTSB On Scene Of Perry Inhofe Crash|url=http://aviationweek.com/awin/ntsb-scene-perry-inhofe-crash|work=Aviation Week|access-date=July 8, 2014|archive-date=July 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714224430/http://aviationweek.com/awin/ntsb-scene-perry-inhofe-crash|url-status=dead}} Molly Rapert, an academic, is Inhofe's daughter.{{cite news |last1=Krehbiel |first1=Randy |title=Watch Now: U.S. Sen Jim Inhofe's farewell speech looks back on Senate career |url=https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/watch-now-u-s-sen-jim-inhofes-farewell-speech-looks-back-on-senate-career/article_8ab100ea-65e3-11ed-9815-4b76848354ad.html |access-date=May 19, 2023 |work=Tulsa World |date=November 17, 2022 |archive-date=May 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519220200/https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/watch-now-u-s-sen-jim-inhofes-farewell-speech-looks-back-on-senate-career/article_8ab100ea-65e3-11ed-9815-4b76848354ad.html |url-status=live }}

Inhofe had his pilot's license since he was 28; he flew a Van's Aircraft RV-8. He attended the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh for 20 years; in 2021, he said, "I've slept in the same tent for 20 years. If you're not sleeping in a tent, it's not like being at Oshkosh."{{Cite web |title=Senator continues fighting for general aviation — General Aviation News |author=Tom Snow |work=generalaviationnews.com |date=August 18, 2021 |access-date=August 9, 2022 |url=https://generalaviationnews.com/2021/08/18/senator-continues-fighting-for-general-aviation/ |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408051959/https://generalaviationnews.com/2021/08/18/senator-continues-fighting-for-general-aviation/ |url-status=live }} Inhofe had to emergency-land his plane multiple times throughout his career.{{Cite web |title=Sen. Jim Inhofe forced landing latest incident for the pilot |author=Tim Talley |work=AP NEWS |date=July 4, 2016 |access-date=August 9, 2022 |url=https://apnews.com/article/885c2dcf961342a892f2db0f7aecfa30 |archive-date=August 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809163903/https://apnews.com/article/885c2dcf961342a892f2db0f7aecfa30 |url-status=live }}

He was the first recipient of the U.S. Air Force Academy's Character and Leadership Award for his character and leadership in public service.{{cite web|title=Inhofe Honored with Air Force Leadership Award|url=https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/inhofe-honored-with-air-force-leadership-award|website=inhofe.senate.gov|publisher=The Office of Senator James M. Inhofe|date=March 5, 2013|access-date=August 31, 2018|archive-date=July 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708151700/https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/inhofe-honored-with-air-force-leadership-award|url-status=dead}}

Towards the end of his life, Inhofe had symptoms of long COVID, which severely limited his capacity to do day-to-day activities.

Inhofe died from complications of a stroke at a hospital in Tulsa, on July 9, 2024, at the age of 89.{{cite news |last1=Krehbiel |first1=Randy |last2=Tim |first2=Stanley |title=Former U.S. Sen. James Inhofe has died at 89, sources close to family say |url=https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/former-u-s-sen-james-inhofe-has-died-at-89-sources-close-to-family-say/article_3a4ee020-3dfc-11ef-a660-37320fdbca80.html |access-date=July 9, 2024 |work=Tulsa World |date=July 9, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=July 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709143650/https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/former-u-s-sen-james-inhofe-has-died-at-89-sources-close-to-family-say/article_3a4ee020-3dfc-11ef-a660-37320fdbca80.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/09/us/politics/james-inhofe-dead.html|title = James M. Inhofe, Senator Who Denied Climate Change, Dies at 89|last = McFadden|first = Robert D.|authorlink = Robert D. McFadden|date = July 9, 2024|accessdate = July 9, 2024|newspaper = The New York Times|url-access = limited|archive-date = July 9, 2024|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240709161410/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/09/us/politics/james-inhofe-dead.html|url-status = live}}

{{Election box open primary begin no change

| title = 1966 Oklahoma House of Representatives 71st district election

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Warren Green (incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 1,396

| percentage = 54.57%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Jim Inhofe

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 1,162

| percentage = 45.43%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 2,558

| percentage = 100.00%

}}{{Election box end}}

{{Election box open primary begin no change

| title = 1966 Oklahoma House of Representatives 70th district special election

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Jim Inhofe

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 668

| percentage = 54.66%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Richard Hancock

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 544

| percentage = 44.52%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = J. C. Gibson

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 10

| percentage = 0.82%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 1,222

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box open primary general election no change}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Jim Inhofe

|votes = 1,917

|percentage = 81.33%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Patricia Anderson

|votes = 440

|percentage = 18.67%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 2,357

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Expand section|with=1968 general election results |date=February 2023}}

{{Election box open primary begin no change

| title = 1968 Oklahoma Senate 35th district primary election

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Jim Inhofe

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 1,517

| percentage = 79.34%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Madison Bowers

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 395

| percentage = 20.66%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 1,912

| percentage = 100.00%

}}{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = 1972 Oklahoma Senate 35th district election{{efn|The Republican Party primary was canceled in 1972 when no other candidate filed.}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Jim Inhofe (incumbent)

|votes = 13,749

|percentage = 68.47%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Happy Miles

|votes = 6,330

|percentage = 31.53%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 20,079

|percentage = 100.00%

}}{{Election box end}}

{{Election box open primary begin no change

| title = 1974 Oklahoma gubernatorial election{{cite web |title=1968-1974 Results |url=https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/elections/election-results/results-prior-to-1980/1968-1974-results.pdf |website=oklahoma.gov |publisher=State of Oklahoma |access-date=February 26, 2023 |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111081130/https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/elections/election-results/results-prior-to-1980/1968-1974-results.pdf |url-status=live }}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Jim Inhofe

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 88,594

| percentage = 58.76

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Denzil Garrison

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 62,188

| percentage = 41.24

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 150,782

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box open primary general election no change}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = David Boren

|votes = 514,389

|percentage = 63.91

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Jim Inhofe

|votes = 290,459

|percentage = 36.09

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 804,848

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

|winner = Democratic Party (United States)

|loser = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box open primary begin no change

| title = 1976 Oklahoma 1st Congressional District election

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Jim Inhofe

| votes = 17,707

| percentage = 66.7%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Frank Keating

| votes = 6,751

| percentage = 25.4%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Mary Warner

| votes = 2,057

| percentage = 7.7%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 26,515

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box open primary general election no change}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = James R. Jones

|votes = 100,945

|percentage = 53.9%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Jim Inhofe

|votes = 84,374

|percentage = 45.1%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = independent (politician)

|candidate = W. D. Mackintosh

|votes = 1,725

|percentage = 0.9%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 187,044

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

|winner = Democratic Party (United States)

|loser = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box open primary begin no change

| title = 1978 Tulsa Mayoral primary election{{cite news |last1=Marler |first1=Ralph |title=Randle, Inhofe Get Mayor Race Nods; 46,000 Citians Vote |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/890284887/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=February 27, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=March 22, 1978 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227012619/https://www.newspapers.com/image/890284887/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Jim Inhofe

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 15,317

| percentage = 92.00%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Keith Robinson

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 910

| percentage = 5.47%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Paul Cull

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 422

| percentage = 2.53%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 16,649

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = 1978 Mayor of Tulsa election{{cite news |title=Inhofe Defeats Randle In Tulsa Mayor Race |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/452083367/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |access-date=February 27, 2023 |work=Tulsa Daily World |date=April 5, 1978 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227012623/https://www.newspapers.com/image/452083367/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Jim Inhofe

| votes = 39,236

| percentage = 51.05%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Rodger Randle

| votes = 35,213

| percentage = 45.81%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = independent (politician)

| candidate = Jim Primdahl, Jr.

| votes = 2,412

| percentage = 3.14%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 76,861

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

|loser = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = 1980 Mayor of Tulsa election

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Jim Inhofe (incumbent)

| votes = 46,772

| percentage = 62.02%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Richard Johnson

| votes = 23,971

| percentage = 31.79%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = independent (politician)

| candidate = Jim Primdahl, Jr.

| votes = 4,670

| percentage = 6.19%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 75,413

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

|loser = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = 1982 Mayor of Tulsa election{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/662160814/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |newspaper=Tulsa Daily World |title=Inhofe, 5 Incumbents re-elected |date=April 7, 1982 |access-date=February 26, 2023 |url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=February 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227044704/https://www.newspapers.com/image/662160814/?terms=%22Inhofe%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Jim Inhofe (incumbent)

| votes = 43,463

| percentage = 59.29%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Tom Seymour

| votes = 27,177

| percentage = 37.07%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = independent (politician)

| candidate = Robert T. Murphy

| votes = 2,668

| percentage = 3.64%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 73,308

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

|loser = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box open primary begin no change

| title = 1986 Oklahoma 1st Congressional District election{{cite web |last1=Dendy Jr. |first1=Dallas |title=Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 4, 1986 |url=https://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/1986election.pdf |website=clerk.house.gov |publisher=United States House of Representatives |access-date=February 26, 2023 |archive-date=July 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701141830/http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/1986election.pdf |url-status=live }}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Jim Inhofe

| votes = 19,575

| percentage = 54.21

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Bill Colvert

| votes = 10,577

| percentage = 29.29

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Joan Hastings

| votes = 5,956

| percentage = 16.49

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 36,108

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box open primary general election no change}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Jim Inhofe

|votes = 78,919

|percentage = 54.79

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Gary D. Allison

|votes = 61,663

|percentage = 42.81

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = independent (politician)

|candidate = Carl E. McCullough, Jr.

|votes = 3,455

|percentage = 2.40

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 144,037

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box gain with party link no swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

|loser = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = 1988 Oklahoma 1st Congressional District election{{cite web |title=1988 results |url=https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/elections/election-results/1988-election-resuls/1988-results.pdf |website=oklahoma.gov |publisher=State of Oklahoma |access-date=February 27, 2023 |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111081121/https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/elections/election-results/1988-election-resuls/1988-results.pdf |url-status=live }}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Jim Inhofe (incumbent)

|votes = 103,458

|percentage = 52.63

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Kurt Glassco

|votes = 93,101

|percentage = 47.37

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 196,559

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

|loser = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = 1990 Oklahoma 1st Congressional District election{{cite web |title=1990 results |url=https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/elections/election-results/1989-election-results/1990-results.pdf |website=oklahoma.gov |publisher=State of Oklahoma |access-date=February 27, 2023}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Jim Inhofe (incumbent)

|votes = 75,618

|percentage = 55.96

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Kurt Glassco

|votes = 59,521

|percentage = 44.04

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 135,139

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

|loser = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box open primary begin no change

| title = 1992 Oklahoma 1st Congressional District election{{cite web |title=1992 results |url=https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/elections/election-results/1992-election-results/1992-results.pdf |website=oklahoma.gov |publisher=State of Oklahoma |access-date=February 27, 2023 |archive-date=May 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515181741/https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/elections/election-results/1992-election-results/1992-results.pdf |url-status=live }}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Jim Inhofe (incumbent)

| votes = 36,354

| percentage = 67.71

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Richard L. Bunn

| votes = 17,339

| percentage = 32.29

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 53,693

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box open primary general election no change}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Jim Inhofe (incumbent)

|votes = 119,211

|percentage = 52.79

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = John Selph

|votes = 106,619

|percentage = 47.21

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 225,830

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

|loser = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box open primary begin no change

| title = 1994 United States Senate special election in Oklahoma{{cite web|url=https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/elections/documents/a0001/1994-primary-results.pdf|title=Election Results 1994 Primary Election|website=ok.gov|access-date=March 24, 2021|archive-date=February 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205151427/https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/elections/documents/a0001/1994-primary-results.pdf|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/elections/documents/a0001/1994-general-results.pdf|title=Election Results 1994 General Election|website=ok.gov|access-date=March 24, 2021|archive-date=February 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205151430/https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/elections/documents/a0001/1994-general-results.pdf|url-status=dead}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Jim Inhofe

| votes = 159,001

| percentage = 77.80

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Tony Caldwell

| votes = 45,359

| percentage = 22.20

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 204,360

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box open primary general election no change}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Jim Inhofe

|votes = 542,390

|percentage = 55.21

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Dave McCurdy

|votes = 392,488

|percentage = 40.56

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Danny Corn

|votes = 47,552

|percentage = 4.84

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 982,430

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box gain with party link no swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

|loser = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box open primary begin no change

| title = 1996 United States Senate election in Oklahoma{{cite web|url=https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/elections/documents/a0002/1996-primary-summary-results.pdf|title=Election Results 1996 Primary Election|website=ok.gov|access-date=March 24, 2021|archive-date=April 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407115817/https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/elections/documents/a0002/1996-primary-summary-results.pdf|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/elections/documents/a0002/1996-general-summary-results.pdf|title=Election Results 1996 General Election|website=ok.gov|access-date=March 24, 2021|archive-date=April 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407115821/https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/elections/documents/a0002/1996-general-summary-results.pdf|url-status=dead}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Jim Inhofe (incumbent)

| votes = 116,241

| percentage = 75.34

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Dan Lowe

| votes = 38,044

| percentage = 24.66

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 154,285

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box open primary general election no change}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Jim Inhofe (incumbent)

|votes = 670,610

|percentage = 56.68

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Jim Boren

|votes = 474,162

|percentage = 40.08

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Bill Maguire

|votes = 15,092

|percentage = 1.28

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Libertarian Party (United States)

|candidate = Agnes Marie Regier

|votes = 14,595

|percentage = 1.23

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Chris Nedbalek

|votes = 8,691

|percentage = 0.73

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 1,183,150

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

|loser = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = 2002 United States Senate election in Oklahoma{{cite web|url=https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/elections/documents/a0002/2002-general-summary-results.pdf|title=Election Results 2002 General Election|website=ok.gov|access-date=March 24, 2021|archive-date=April 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407115744/https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/elections/documents/a0002/2002-general-summary-results.pdf|url-status=dead}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Jim Inhofe (incumbent)

|votes = 583,579

|percentage = 57.30

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = David Walters

|votes = 369,789

|percentage = 36.31

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = James Germalic

|votes = 65,056

|percentage = 6.39

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 1,018,424

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

|loser = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box open primary begin no change

| title = 2008 United States Senate election in Oklahoma{{cite web|url=https://oklahoma.gov/elections/election-info/election-results/2008-election-results/2008-primary-election.html|title=Election Results 2008 Primary Election|website=ok.gov|access-date=March 24, 2021|archive-date=April 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407115500/https://oklahoma.gov/elections/election-info/election-results/2008-election-results/2008-primary-election.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://oklahoma.gov/elections/election-info/election-results/2008-election-results/2008-general-election.html|title=Election Results 2008 General Election|website=ok.gov|access-date=March 24, 2021|archive-date=April 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407115519/https://oklahoma.gov/elections/election-info/election-results/2008-election-results/2008-general-election.html|url-status=dead}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Jim Inhofe (incumbent)

| votes = 116,371

| percentage = 84.18

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Evelyn Rogers

| votes = 10,770

| percentage = 7.79

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Ted Ryals

| votes = 7,306

| percentage = 5.28

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Dennis Lopez

| votes = 3,800

| percentage = 2.75

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 138,247

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box open primary general election no change}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Jim Inhofe (incumbent)

|votes = 763,375

|percentage = 56.68

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Andrew Rice

|votes = 527,736

|percentage = 39.18

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Stephen P. Wallace

|votes = 55,708

|percentage = 4.14

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 1,346,819

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

|loser = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box open primary begin no change

| title = 2014 United States Senate election in Oklahoma{{cite web|url=https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/elections/documents/support/20140624-seb.pdf|title=Official Results: Statewide Primary Election — June 24, 2014|website=ok.gov|access-date=March 24, 2021|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210408201228/https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/elections/documents/support/20140624-seb.pdf}}{{cite web|url=https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/elections/documents/support/20141104-seb.pdf|title=Official Results: Statewide General Election — November 4, 2014|website=ok.gov|access-date=March 24, 2021|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210408200932/https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/elections/documents/support/20141104-seb.pdf}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Jim Inhofe (incumbent)

| votes = 231,291

| percentage = 87.68

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Evelyn Rogers

| votes = 11,960

| percentage = 4.53

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Erick Paul Wyatt

| votes = 11,713

| percentage = 4.44

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Rob Moye

| votes = 4,846

| percentage = 1.84

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Jean McBride-Samuels

| votes = 3,965

| percentage = 1.50

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 263,775

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box open primary general election no change}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Jim Inhofe (incumbent)

|votes = 558,166

|percentage = 68.01

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Matt Silverstein

|votes = 234,307

|percentage = 28.55

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Joan Farr

|votes = 10,554

|percentage = 1.29

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Ray Woods

|votes = 9,913

|percentage = 1.21

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Aaron DeLozier

|votes = 7,793

|percentage = 0.95

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 820,733

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

|loser = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box open primary begin no change

| title = 2020 United States Senate election in Oklahoma{{cite web|url=https://results.okelections.us/OKER/?elecDate=20200630|title=2020 June Primary Election and Special Elections|website=ok.gov|access-date=March 24, 2021|archive-date=July 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701214010/https://results.okelections.us/OKER/?elecDate=20200630|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://oklahoma.gov/elections/election-info/election-results/2020-election-results/2020-november-general-election.html|title=2020 November General Election|website=ok.gov|access-date=March 24, 2021|archive-date=April 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407112947/https://oklahoma.gov/elections/election-info/election-results/2020-election-results/2020-november-general-election.html|url-status=dead}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Jim Inhofe (incumbent)

| votes = 277,868

| percentage = 74.05

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = JJ Stitt

| votes = 57,433

| percentage = 15.31

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = John Tompkins

| votes = 23,563

| percentage = 6.28

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Neil Mavis

| votes = 16,363

| percentage = 4.36

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 375,227

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box open primary general election no change}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Jim Inhofe (incumbent)

|votes = 979,140

|percentage = 62.91

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Abby Broyles

|votes = 509,763

|percentage = 32.75

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Libertarian Party (United States)

|candidate = Robert Murphy

|votes = 34,435

|percentage = 2.21

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Joan Farr

|votes = 21,652

|percentage = 1.39

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = J.D. Nesbit

|votes = 11,371

|percentage = 0.73

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 1,556,361

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

|loser = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Politics of Oklahoma
• List of United States senators from Oklahoma
• 2020 Congressional insider trading scandal

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• {{cite book |last=Kutney |first=Gerald |title=Carbon Politics and the Failure of the Kyoto Protocol |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wk_IAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA108|date=February 3, 2014|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-317-91466-2}}

{{wikiquote|James Inhofe}}

• {{IMDb name|2671811}}
• {{C-SPAN|5619}}
• {{CongLinks | congbio=i000024 | votesmart=27027 | fec=S4OK00083 | congress=jim-inhofe/583 }}
• [https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=IN024 Inhofe, James Mountain] entry in The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture

{{s-start}}

{{s-ppo}}

{{s-bef|before=Dewey Bartlett}}

{{s-ttl|title=Republican nominee for Governor of Oklahoma|years=1974}}

{{s-aft|after=Ron Shotts}}

|-

{{s-bef|before=Stephen Jones}}

{{s-ttl|title=Republican nominee for U.S. senator from Oklahoma
(Class 2)|years=1994, 1996, 2002, 2008, 2014, 2020}}

{{s-aft|after=Markwayne Mullin}}

|-

{{s-off}}

{{s-bef|before=Robert LaFortune}}

{{s-ttl|title=Mayor of Tulsa|years=1978–1984}}

{{s-aft|after=Terry Young}}

|-

{{s-par|us-hs}}

{{s-bef|before=James R. Jones}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Oklahoma's 1st congressional district|years=1987–1994}}

{{s-aft|after=Steve Largent}}

|-

{{s-par|us-sen}}

{{s-bef|before=David Boren}}

{{s-ttl|title=U.S. Senator (Class 2) from Oklahoma|years=1994–2023|alongside=Don Nickles, Tom Coburn, James Lankford}}

{{s-aft|after=Markwayne Mullin}}

|-

{{s-bef|rows=2|before=Jim Jeffords}}

{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the Senate Environment Committee|years=2003–2007}}

{{s-aft|after=Barbara Boxer}}

|-

{{s-ttl|title=Ranking Member of the Senate Environment Committee|years=2007–2013}}

{{s-aft|after=David Vitter}}

|-

{{s-bef|before=John McCain}}

{{s-ttl|title=Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee|years=2013–2015}}

{{s-aft|after=Jack Reed}}

|-

{{s-bef|before=Barbara Boxer}}

{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the Senate Environment Committee|years=2015–2017}}

{{s-aft|after=John Barrasso}}

|-

{{s-bef|before=John McCain}}

{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee|years=2018–2021
{{small|Acting: 2017–2018}}}}

{{s-aft|after=Jack Reed}}

|-

{{s-bef|before=Jack Reed}}

{{s-ttl|title=Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee|years=2021–2023}}

{{s-aft|after=Roger Wicker}}

{{s-end}}

{{US Senate Armed Services chairs}}

{{US Senate Environment chairs}}

{{United States senators from Oklahoma}}

{{United States representatives from Oklahoma}}

{{Mayors of Tulsa}}

{{USCongRep-start |congresses=100th–117th United States Congresses |state=Oklahoma}}

{{USCongRep/OK/100}}

{{USCongRep/OK/101}}

{{USCongRep/OK/102}}

{{USCongRep/OK/103}}

{{USCongRep/OK/104}}

{{USCongRep/OK/105}}

{{USCongRep/OK/106}}

{{USCongRep/OK/107}}

{{USCongRep/OK/108}}

{{USCongRep/OK/109}}

{{USCongRep/OK/110}}

{{USCongRep/OK/111}}

{{USCongRep/OK/112}}

{{USCongRep/OK/113}}

{{USCongRep/OK/114}}

{{USCongRep/OK/115}}

{{USCongRep/OK/116}}

{{USCongRep/OK/117}}

{{USCongRep-end}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Inhofe, Jim}}

*

Category:1934 births

Category:2024 deaths

Category:20th-century Presbyterians

Category:20th-century mayors of places in Oklahoma

Category:20th-century members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives

Category:21st-century Presbyterians

Category:American businesspeople in insurance

Category:American Christian Zionists

Category:American conspiracy theorists

Category:Aviators from Iowa

Category:Aviators from Oklahoma

Category:Businesspeople from Tulsa, Oklahoma

Category:Candidates in the 1966 United States elections

Category:Candidates in the 1974 United States elections

Category:Candidates in the 1976 United States elections

Category:Candidates in the 1984 United States elections

Category:Central High School (Tulsa, Oklahoma) alumni

Category:Mayors of Tulsa, Oklahoma

Category:Military personnel from Iowa

Category:Military personnel from Oklahoma

Category:Politicians from Des Moines, Iowa

Category:Politicians from Tulsa, Oklahoma

Category:Presbyterians from Oklahoma

Category:Republican Party members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives

Category:Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Oklahoma

Category:Republican Party Oklahoma state senators

Category:Republican Party United States senators from Oklahoma

Category:United States Army soldiers

Category:University of Tulsa alumni

Category:WorldNetDaily people

Category:Anti-LGBTQ Christian activists

Category:20th-century United States senators

Category:20th-century members of the United States House of Representatives